Belmore, New South Wales

Belmore is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Belmore is located 11 kilometres inner south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Canterbury-Bankstown .

Belmore
Sydney, New South Wales
Burwood Road, Belmore
Population12,718 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2192
Location11 km (7 mi) inner south-west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)City of Canterbury-Bankstown
State electorate(s)Canterbury
Federal Division(s)
Suburbs around Belmore:
Greenacre Strathfield Canterbury
Lakemba Belmore Campsie
Roselands Kingsgrove Clemton Park

History

Belmore is named after the fourth Earl of Belmore, Governor of New South Wales from 1868-1872. The area was known as Darkwater in its early days. Some of the first land grants in 1810 were 40.5 hectares (100 acres) to Richard Robinson east of Sharp Street and Kingsgrove Road and 24 hectares (60 acres) to Thomas Mansfield, to the west. Francis Wild and John Sullivan were each granted 12 hectares (30 acres) in 1823. The area was originally used for market gardens and orchards. Subdivision started after the railway came through in 1895.[2]

The first school, Belmore South Primary School opened on 25 April 1892 and the post office opened in 1907. The town centre began developing in the 1920s and features some classic examples of art-deco architecture.

Today Belmore is considered the Art Deco of the Canterburty Bankstown LGA

Heritage listings

Belmore has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

  • Burwood Road: Belmore railway station[3]
  • 32-36 Redman Parade: Community facilities
  • 481 Burwood Road: Doctor's surgery
  • 543 Burwood Road: Electricity Substation No. 274
  • 5 Knox Street: Electricity Substation No. 276
  • 35 Isabel Street: Federation and Inter War House
  • 37-37A Isabel Street: Federation and Inter War House
  • 39 Isabel Street: Federation and Inter War House
  • 2 Wilson Avenue: Federation Bakery, White House Bakery
  • 436 Burwood Road: Federation detached house Station Master's house
  • 37 Wilson Avenue: Federation House
  • 52 Albert Street: Federation House
  • 43 Wilson Avenue: Federation Weatherboard House
  • 370-372 Burwood Road: Inter War Building Post Office (former)
  • 35, 37 & 39 Isabel Street: Federation and Inter War House
  • 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 Lakemba Street: Californian Bungalows Inter War House
  • 103-105 Lakemba Street: Built in the 1920s
  • 12 Oxford Street: Victorian House
  • 31 Forsyth Street: Victorian Villa The Towers

Houses

Belmore has a high percentage of period homes. Its predominately a low-rise residential area full of well-maintained period family homes with large back-yards, wide tree-lined streets, and small parks and playgrounds. Art Deco shop façades dominate the small shopping strip. There are now an increasing number of high-rise units in the suburb mostly along Canterbury Road. While most of the suburb is an oasis of heritage, with a village atmosphere valued by the residents it is threatened by changes to zoning and increased high-rise development.

Pubs and Clubs

Belmore contains the following clubs and pubs:

• The Canterbury Leagues club, located on 26 Bridge Rd, is an entertainment venue that attracts many Australian and international performers. The club's rich history dates back to 1957 to service the needs of the football club and local community. Today Canterbury Leagues club manages one of the most successful League Clubs in NSW and is quickly becoming known as Sydney’s premier hospitality destinations with 5 star amenities including 4 restaurants, multiple bars and entertainment lounges and a 24 hour health club. With trade booming and patronage at an all-time high, the Club has extended its trading to 24 hour trading. The Club also amalgamated with Lakemba Services Memorial Club (2001) and the Moxon Sports Club.

• The Belmore Bowling & Recreation Club. Located in 1A Leylands Parade. The Bowling Club is situated in a beautiful location – right alongside a local landmark, with views of the great park next door, and the gorgeous sunsets that bring an inspiring end to a satisfying day of lawn bowls.

• The St George Hotel, located on 618 Canterbury Rd, is a heritage-listed landmark. The hotel is a meeting place for the "social elite" of the surrounding districts.

• The Defi II, located on 325 Burwood Rd, is a hotspot for Live Greek Entertainment. Recently refurbished, it attracts many visitors from surrounding districts to experience the diverse culture found in Belmore.

Commercial area

Belmore contains a mixture of residential, significant landmarks, commercial and industrial developments. The main commercial area is located along Burwood Road, near Belmore railway station. Commercial and industrial developments are also located along Canterbury Road and surrounding streets.

  • Art-deco building, corner Burwood Road and Bridge Road
  • Art-deco amenities block
  • Stationmaster's cottage on Burwood Road

Transport

Belmore railway station is located on the Bankstown Line of the Sydney Trains network. The line was opened in 1895 and electrified in 1926. The station at Belmore opened on 1 February 1895. Belmore has many bus routs navigating the South to the north and inner south west to Sydney CBD.

Churches
  • All Saints Greek Orthodox Church
  • St Alban's Anglican Church
  • St Joseph's Catholic Church
  • Belmore Church of Christ.

Schools
  • Belmore South Public School

The Heritage Listed Belmore South Public School was officially opened on the 22 January 1917. In 2012, Belmore South Public School celebrated its 150th birthday with a fantastic party during the annual Spring Fair. The local community, current and past students, and current and past staff members joined together to celebrate this joyful occasion. Most recently a dedicated student at Belmore South Public School won the Stage 2 Taronga Zoo School Banner Competition, and in August 2019 Belmore South Public School won the Bostik Smarts Schools Competition, taking home the first prize thanks to Ms Alex.

  • Belmore North Public School

At Belmore North Public School is committed to excellence in teaching and learning in a safe and positive environment this is why Belmore North Public School has implementing Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). Positive Behaviour for Learning is a combination of systems, data and lessons that help to create a consistent learning environment that allows all students, staff and community members to feel safe and respected.

  • Belmore Boys High School

Belmore Boys' High is a small, comprehensive, multicultural high school in the inner south west of Sydney. A rapidly improving school, recent achievements include:

1. The recognition for very substantial improvements in state-wide testing of English Language and Literature attainments [ELLA] 1998-9 and SNAP 2000.

2. The creation of an urban food forest, a rooftop garden, a chook house, a native reserve and eight ponds. Most recently the school was visited by Channel 7's Better Homes and Gardens in 2019 to showcase the schools achievements.

  • St Joseph's Primary School

St Joseph’s Primary School is a coeducational K-6 primary school intent on fostering the attitude that learning is ongoing. Students benefit from a thoroughly modern and engaging educational program, a broad selection of extracurricular activities and a range of special programs designed to develop the knowledge and skills of each student.

  • All Saints Grammar[4]

All Saints Grammar School is a co-educational Orthodox Christian School from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, run under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. This vibrant and well established school was founded in 1990 by the Parish and Community of Belmore and District to provide academic excellence within a foundation of Orthodox Christian ethics. The initial ideal of establishing All Saints Grammar School was in the hope of preserving Hellenism, and to uphold the values, beliefs, traditions and customs of the Greek culture and Orthodox faith found in Belmore. Today All Saints Grammar are leaders in private education.

  • All Saints Greek Orthodox Church
  • St Joseph's Catholic Church
  • Belmore Boys High School
  • The Towers, a heritage-listed house in Forsyth Street[5]

Sport

Belmore Sports Ground is the home ground of the National Rugby League team Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. It is the current home ground for New South Wales Premier League team Sydney Olympic. The "Back to Belmore" campaign was established in August 2005 to upgrade Belmore Sports Grounds as a top-class sporting facility to NRL standards for the Bulldogs to stage a select number of NRL games at their traditional home ground in the long-term future.

  • Belmore Hotel
  • Belmore Brewery, St George Hotel
  • Canterbury Leagues Club

Social Media

The online community of Belmore, have adopted to keep in touch with each other using the Facebook app. The Facebook Group is called Belmore 2192. Currently there are over 450 followers.

Population

Demographics

Belmore is one of Australia's more affluent ethnically diverse suburbs.

According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 12,718 residents in Belmore. 43.7% of residents were born in Australia, compared with the national average of 66.7%. The next most common countries of birth were Greece 6.3%, China 5.3%, Lebanon 4.1%, Vietnam 3.5% and South Korea 2.9%. 27.7% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Greek 14.1%, Arabic 12.8%, Mandarin 4.6%, Vietnamese 4.4% and Korean 3.6%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 24.1%, Eastern Orthodox 17.8%, No Religion 14.3% and Islam 12.9%.[1]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Belmore (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  2. Pollen, Frances (1990). The Book of Sydney Suburbs. Australia: Angus & Robertson Publishers. p. 26. ISBN 0-207-14495-8.
  3. "Belmore Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01081. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  4. All Saints Grammar
  5. State Heritage Register

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