Abbotsford, New South Wales

Abbotsford is a suburb in the Inner West[2] of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Abbotsford is 10 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay. Abbotsford sits on the peninsula between Abbotsford Bay and Hen and Chicken Bay, on the Parramatta River.[3]

Abbotsford
Sydney, New South Wales
Abbotsford House
Abbotsford
Coordinates33°51′08″S 151°07′38″E
Population5,373 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density5,400/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)2046
Area1 km2 (0.4 sq mi)
Location10 km (6 mi) from Sydney CBD
LGA(s)City of Canada Bay
State electorate(s)Drummoyne
Federal Division(s)Reid
Suburbs around Abbotsford:
Gladesville Gladesville Henley
Cabarita Abbotsford Chiswick
Five Dock Wareemba Russell Lea

History

Abbotsford took its name from Abbotsford House, owned by Sir Arthur Renwick. He named his property after Abbotsford House in the United Kingdom, the residence of historical novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott.[4]

Aboriginal culture

Abbotsford was first known by its Aboriginal name Bigi Bigi.[5] The traditional owners are the Wangal clan of the Eora Nation.

European settlement

The suburb was originally part of Five Dock Farm and when subdivided in 1837, was called Feltham. Sir Arthur Renwick, a doctor, philanthropist and politician built his home here in 1890 and called it Abbotsford House in honour of Sir Walter Scott's home. Renwick sold his property in 1903 to Albert Grace, and in 1918 it became the site of a Nestlé chocolate factory, with the house used initially for chocolate production and later as their administrative offices. The factory was closed in 1991, after which the area was redeveloped as the medium-density Abbotsford Cove housing complex.[6]

Australian poet Henry Lawson did not die in Abbotsford House in 1922, as is sometimes claimed, but at the home of Mrs Isabella Byers at 437 Great North Road, recently demolished. Abbotsford House is now listed on the Register of the National Estate.[7]

Demographics

According to the 2016 census of the population, there were 5,373 residents in Abbotsford. 64.0% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were Italy 5.5%, England 3.4% and China 3.1%. 66.0% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian 9.0%, Mandarin 3.0%, Cantonese 2.2% and Greek 2.1%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 38.6%, No Religion 23.7% and Anglican 10.2%.[1]

Transport

State Transit run a bus route through Abbotsford and a ferry wharf provides access to Parramatta River ferry services. Electric trams operated to Abbotsford until their replacement by buses in 1954.[8]

Commercial area

Abbotsford has a small group of shops on Great North Road.

Education

Abbotsford Public School is a local primary school at 350 Great North Road.

Landmarks
  • Abbotsford Public School
  • Victorian cottage used as Day Care Centre
  • Abbotsford Presbyterian Church
  • Abbotsford Cove

Sport and recreation

Abbotsford Sailing Club and Sydney Rowing Club sit on the Parramatta River, at the end of Great North Road. Abbotsford houses the rowing sheds for Sydney Boys High School, Newington College and MLC School.

Notable residents

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Abbotsford (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. Australian Suburb Guide: Sydney Inner West Archived 26 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. Gregory's Sydney Street Directory, Gregory's Publishing Company, 2007
  4. Book of Sydney Suburbs, Frances Pollon (Angus and Robertson) 1990, p. 1
  5. Reed, Alexander Wyclif (1969). Place-names of New South Wales, their origins and meanings. Reed. pp. 1, 14.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981, p.2/23
  8. D. Keenan: Tramways of Sydney. Transit Press 1979
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