Elderslie, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ElderslieSydney, New South Wales |
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| Population | 7,878 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2570 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 80 m (262 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 62 km (39 mi) SW of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Camden Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Camden | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Hume | ||||||||||||||
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Elderslie is a suburb in the Macarthur Region of Sydney. It is located in the Camden Council area. You can find Elderslie on the east side of the Nepean River.
This suburb has many local facilities. There is a small local shop, a high school, and a primary school. For sports, Elderslie offers a skateboard park, netball courts, and fields. These fields are used for cricket, Australian Football (AFL), and Rugby League. There is also a BMX track for bike riders. A special historic house, John Oxley Cottage, was built in the 1890s. It was later turned into the Camden Visitors' Centre in 1989. The suburb was named after explorer John Oxley. He was one of the first people to own land in this area.
Contents
A Look Back at Elderslie's History
Early Days and First Peoples
Long ago, the land where Elderslie is now was home to Aboriginal people. The Tharawal people likely lived here. Other groups, like the Darug people and the Gandangara people, also lived in the wider Camden area.
At first, relations with British settlers were friendly. However, farmers began clearing and fencing the land. This affected the food sources for the Aboriginal people. Sadly, conflicts started to happen. In 1816, many Aboriginal people were killed. The remaining groups then moved away from direct conflict with the settlers.
European Settlement and Farming
In 1795, some lost cattle were found in this area. This led to the name "Cowpastures." In 1805, a small hut was built in Elderslie. It was near a river crossing on the Nepean River. This hut was for two constables who watched over the cattle. It was the first house built by British settlers in the Camden region.
Later that same year, John Macarthur received a large land grant. He was a pioneer in the wool industry. He was given 5,000 acres (20 km²) at Cowpastures. After the land was cleared, it was used for farming for nearly 200 years. Eventually, Sydney's suburbs grew outwards. Modern suburbs like Elderslie were then divided into housing blocks.
Post Office History
Elderslie had its own Post Office for a time. It first opened on 1 January 1839. However, it closed on 30 April 1841. The nearby Camden office took its place. The Elderslie Post Office reopened on 1 August 1876. It finally closed its doors in 1969.
People Living in Elderslie
Understanding the Population
The 2021 census counted 7,878 people living in Elderslie. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.7% of the population.
Most residents have Australian (41.2%) or English (41.0%) ancestry. Other common ancestries include Scottish (10.7%), Irish (10.5%), and Italian (5.5%). A large majority, 83.1%, were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was England, at 3.4%. About 89.1% of people spoke only English at home. When it comes to religion, 33.2% reported no religion. Catholic was the choice for 27.7%, and Anglican for 19.8%.
How Elderslie is Governed
Elderslie is part of the south ward of Camden Council. As of March 2021, the councillors representing this area are Russell Zammit, Eva Campbell, and Paul Farrow.
For state government, Elderslie is in the state electorate of Camden. This area is represented by Labor's Sally Quinnell. At the federal level, Elderslie is in the federal electorate of Hume. This area is represented by the Liberal Party's Angus Taylor.
