Gordon, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Gordon
city = Sydney
state = nsw


caption = Gordon shopping centre on Pacific Highway
lga = Ku-ring-gai Council
postcode = 2072
est = 1823
pop = 6,006
area = 3.79
propval = [http://www.domain.com.au/public/suburbprofile.aspx?mode=%20$257,000&suburb=Gordon&postcode=2072#mapanchor $1,223,000] (2007)
stategov = Ku-ring-gai, Davidson
fedgov = Bradfield
near-nw = West Pymble
near-n = Pymble
near-ne = St Ives
near-w = West Pymble
near-e = St Ives
near-sw = Killara
near-s = Killara
near-se = East Killara
dist1 = 16
dir1 = north-west
location1= Sydney CBD

Gordon is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Gordon is located 16 kilometres north-west of the Sydney Central Business District and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. East Gordon is a locality within Gordon. [Gregory's Sydney Street Directory, Gregory's Publishing Company, 2007]

History

It is believed that the suburb was named by Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell to commemorate Sir James Willoughby Gordon, whom he had served during the Peninsular War and was the quartermaster-general in England when the First Fleet sailed to Botany Bay. The suburb of Willoughby also commemorates his name.

Gordon Public School was constructed in 1878 on the Pacific Highway, having been designed by G.Mansfield. A Gothic Revival style was used in accordance with the tradition that educational buildings, like churches, were designed in a Gothic style. A second block was added in 1912. The school is one of the few remaining buildings that date back to the pioneering days of northern Sydney. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate. [The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981, p.2/33]

Another local landmark is the home Eryldene, in McIntosh Street. This house was designed by Prof. E.G.Waterhouse and built circa 1913. The extensive garden is a notable part of the property, with structures designed by W.Hardy Wilson. House and garden as a whole are listed on the Register of the National Estate. [The Heritage of Australia, p.2/33]

Transport

Gordon is located on a major transport artery, the Pacific Highway and the intersection of Ryde and Mona Vale Roads which form a link between the northern beaches, Homebush Bay and the St George District and Sutherland Shire.

Gordon railway station is on the North Shore Line of the CityRail network with frequent commuter services. The railway station has an important heritage relationship with its landscaped gardens and has been preserved as an example of a historic Edwardian station. Lifts to the platforms have been a recent addition. A bus stop outside Gordon railway station is a terminus for various routes including those to St Ives, West Pymble and Pymble. These are operated by two different bus companies, "Shorelink" and "Forest Coach Lines".

Commercial Area

It has a shopping centre with many shops and restaurants along the Pacific Highway and around Gordon railway station. The administrative buildings for the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council are located in Gordon.

Churches

St Johns Anglican Church, Gordon Uniting Church

Schools

* Gordon East Public School, a primary school on Rosedale Road.
* Gordon West Public School, a primary school on Ryde Road in West Pymble. This area was previously called West Gordon but became part of West Pymble in 1990. The primary school retained its name because there was another public primary school already called West Pymble Public School.
* Ravenswood School for Girls, an all-female, kindergarten, primary and secondary independent school

Politics

Gordon is in the Ku-ring-gai local council area which includes Lindfield, Killara, Pymble, Turramurra and St Ives.

Notable Residents

Gordon was the childhood home of the politician Clover Moore.

References

External links

* [http://www.id.com.au/Kuringgai/commprofile/default.asp?id=236&gid=120&pg=1 Gordon, Ku-ring-gai Council] - community profile
* [http://sydneynorthscouts.com/rovers/gordon Gordon Rover Crew] is an active group of young people aged 17~25, who are into a wide range of outdoor, social and community service activities.