A History of Canterbury

150 years of cultural diversity

Some Questions

1. What makes your community unique? Consider the location, the natural history of the area, a user-friendly map & the factors that contribute to your community's sense of identity.

2. What are the demographic characteristics of your community? Consider age structure, ethnic composition, growth rates, distribution, population size & gender.

3. How has your community changed over time? Consider 10-year time blocks and the significant changes that have taken place in the community.

4. What are the predominant factor/s that have caused and are causing change in your community?

5. How have people responded to change in your community? Consider individuals, groups, governments and community group's perspectives

Summary

Chronological History of Canterbury

Focus: Geography, Culture, Demographics

Answers to question will be spread throughout the presentation.

Canterbury?

Canterbury is an LGA (Local Government Area) covering 34km2

Formed in 1879 as a municipality Declared a city in 1993.

A quick comparison….

Canterbury is less than half the size of Ku-Ring-Gai

Canterbury has a greater population and greater amount of dwellings.

Aboriginal History

Early Aboriginal communities populated around major rivers- Georges River, Cooks River, Wolli Creek

Main food source seafood as indicated by ‘middens’, deposits of bone.

Georges River

Cooks River

Wolli Creek

Darug SpeakersDharawal Speakers

Early Colonial Period

First land grant in 1793 to the Reverend Richard Johnson by Governor Philip

Most successful farm in the colony

Hannah Laycock granted a farm in 1804.

Successful farm leading to more grants

Early IndustriesFarming

Lowry, Wilson, 1762-1824. Saunderson's farm looking down the river [not in Canterbury area]

Timber

Timber Cutting in Victoria 1866

Charcoal Burners

Early Demographics

Resistance to Settlers by Aboriginal Clans in 1809

Salt Pan Creeks and Georges River were important food sources for Aboriginal tribes. The Sydney Gazette records a few in areas where land grants have been issued. As settlers begin to cultivate their farms, resistance from Aboriginal clans is likely to have occurred.

Chinese Market Gardens

By 1897, only 800 people of British descent are living in the Canterbury Area.

Residents in Punchbowl are opposed to ‘incorporation’.

Parkes of Earlwood, 1860.Photograph courtesy Ron Hunt.

Crossings and Getting Around

One of the greatest challenges of Canterbury was getting to other places.

Bridges were crucial for getting goods into the city for markets.

Other options included horseback and omnibus.

Industralisation

Cooks River as a dumping ground for waste.

Tanneries, factories and the sugar mill.

Formation of the Cooks River Improvement League.

Federation Period

Farms sold off and subdivided.

Railways and trams increase access to Canterbury

Land is inexpensive compared to other areas due to poor infrastructure

Formation of Canterbury Suburbs

Typical Inner West Suburbs- town centre, terraced housing and residential.

A typical Canterbury suburb- single street town centre, residential and industrial ‘filler’.

Development in Canterbury

Lateness in development- electricity, tarred streets and numbering behind.

1950s

Electronic factories in the Kingsgrove district.

Sunbeam Factory Cars become more

commonplace, the beginning of commuting.

Housing Changes

Late 60s, introduction of unit style housing in Canterbury.

Increasingly popular as a more affordable option.

Riverwood- the ‘towers’, mainly medium to low rise units.

Demographics by Era

Pre 1940s-

mainly British descendants, small Chinese population.

Post World War II European Migrants Italian and Greek

communities Earlwood as a

Greek centre

1970s Civil War in

Lebanon Community

migrates slightly towards Burwood.

1980s Chinese and

Korean migrants

Chinese communities remain consistently strong

Transitioned Communities Jewish community in 1950s moved to

the Eastern suburbs Spanish community in 1970s moved

elsewhere.

Currently Growing Communities Pacific Islander African

Why Canterbury?

Land is more affordable

Direct access to the city

Pre-existing communities

Type of Housing, ie. Units

Communities and Change

Campsie Food Festival

Haldon Street

Festival

Multicultural Services e.g. CASS, Chinese Australian Services Society

Language collections in the Library

Migrant Resource Centres

Communities and Change

What makes your community unique?

Consider the location, the natural history of the area, a user-friendly map & the factors that contribute to your community's sense of identity.

Canterbury Commons’ Introduction to Canterbury

http://canterburycommons.net/index.php?title=Canterbury_(Local_Government_Area)

Council’s Website

http://www.canterbury.nsw.gov.au Local Newspapers

Canterbury-Bankstown Torch

http://www.thetorch.com.au/

What are the demographic characteristics of your community?

Consider age structure, ethnic composition, growth rates, distribution, population size & gender.

Community Profilehttp://profile.id.com.au/canterbury/homeCensus Quickstatshttp://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/0

How has your community changed over time?

Canterbury Commons’ Introduction to Canterbury

http://canterburycommons.net/index.php?title=Canterbury_(Local_Government_Area)

Australian Bureau of Statistics http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/

What are the predominant factor/s that have caused and are causing change in your community?

Consider:

Transport, Industry, Land Price, Housing Type, Cultural Communities

How have people responded to change in your community?

Consider individuals, groups, governments and community group's perspectives

Local Newspapers

Canterbury-Bankstown Torch

http://www.thetorch.com.au/

Government: Festivals Community Groups: Multicultural groups

and organisations.