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Ashfield, New South Wales




Demographically, Ashfield features considerable ethnic diversity, with approximately 51% of residents born outside of Australia. This is evidenced by the preponderance of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese shops and businesses located along the main artery of Liverpool Road. Colloquially among Chinese Australian s, Ashfield is often called "Little Shanghai " (小上海) for the preponderance of Shanghainese shopkeepers along the suburb's main business street.

Housing is characterised equally by a mixture of 'grand Victorian' and Federation-era freestanding homes, and post-war medium-density unit dwellings ('flats' in Australian parlance).

  LGA Municipality Of Ashfield
  North Five Dock
  South Ashbury
  East Summer Hill
  West Croydon
  Northeast Haberfield
  Northwest Croydon
  Southeast Dulwich Hill



CHARACTERISTICS

Ashfield is a middle-class suburb, with a mixture of transient residents (who tend to live in rental units), and longer-term residents (who tend to like the architecture, closeness to the city, and the quality of the public transport).


HISTORY OF ASHFIELD

The current suburb of Ashfield has the same boundaries now as when it was incorporated in 1872.
Ashfield became a fashionable suburb in the late 19th Century , when many people moved from the Eastern Suburbs, to the supposedly drier climate of Ashfield.

From 1890s to 1948 a Tram service operated to Ashfield. The trams were originally powered by steam, but were electrified in 1910. Subdivision for gardens and housing occurred mostly in the 1920s and 30s. In the middle decades of the twentieth century, when Ashfield was in the Sydney bible belt, the Exclusive Brethren had their Sydney headquarters in Orchard Crescent, Ashfield. After World War II there was an increasing construction of rental units.

The town recently suffered the Brescia Furniture Fire .


NOTABLE CITIZENS

The following notable people were born or lived in Ashfield:

  • . Owned Glentworth mansion.

  • George Watson : Proprietor of "The Advertiser" local newspaper from 1888-1908. Alderman and later mayor.

  • (now known as the Powerhouse Museum ). Live in Ashfield for 30 years in a house named "eudesmia", which still stands. Proponent of the decorative use of the Waratah in the logos and symbols.

  • . Music Teacher. Winner of NSW lawn tennis association championships. Went on first overseas tennis tour of Australian women in 1925.

  • at the University Of Sydney . Awarded MBE in 1950.

  • Major General

  • Doctor John Koch (1835-1914): Timber miller, brick-maker, philanthropist. Supporter of the Presbyterian church, colonel in the militia.

  • Frederick Whinchcombe : Wool broker and MP, alderman on Ashfield Council.

  • Herbert Pratten (1865-1928): Jam maker, alderman, mayor. Elected to senate in 1917, House of Representatives in 1921, Federal Minister for Trade and Customs from 1923-1928.

  • Rose Payton (1879-1951): Student at Normanhurst School, NSW lawn tennis lady champion 1900-1907.

  • Louise Taplin (1859-1901): Matron of The Infants Home Ashfield until her death in 1901. Lead the home through the 1890s depression.

  • Geraldine Brooks : Journalist and author who wrote about her childhood in the suburb in a book "Foreign Correspondence".

  • Quong Tart : Prominent local businessman, tea house owner and acting consular to the Imperial Chinese government in the late 19th century. Lived at 48 Arthur St, Ashfield.



TRANSPORTATION

The Railway Station was opened in 1855 , as part of the original New South Wales Railways Sydney to Parramatta rail line.

Ashfield and the Eastern Suburbs together are said to have the best public transport in Sydney, as Ashfield is serviced by both bus (with many feeder bus routes to the railway station), and by rail.

Ashfield is located close to Liverpool Road and Parramatta Road, and so is well served by road. Unfortunately Liverpool Road is often congested as it passes through Ashfield.


LOCAL LANDMARKS


  • Ashfield Park is one of the finest urban landscapes in Sydney; Features big Phoenix Palms and a war memorial.

  • Clock tower on the Peak Freen biscuit factory (now Bunnings Warehouse ).

  • Tower on Norman Self's Amesbury in Alt Street.

  • The Water tank adjacent to Peace Park in South Ashfield.



POLITICS

Local political issues include:
  • A local heritage movement exists which opposes further development of multi-unit dwellings.



EDUCATION

High schools in Ashfield include:


RELIGION


Places of worship in Ashfield include:
  • St John The Baptist's Anglican Church . A church on large grounds given by Elizabeth Underwood in 1840.

  • St Vincent's Catholic Church. A substantial and highly dramatic church, built over the period 1895-1907. Designed by Catholic Architects Sheenin and Hennessy.



REFERENCES



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