Gladesville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gladesville Sydney, New South Wales
Bedlam Point, Gladesville
Population	11,827 (2016 census)
• Density	3,380/km2 (8,800/sq mi)
Established	1830
Postcode(s)	2111
Elevation	51 m (167 ft)
Area	3.5 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Location	10 km (6 mi) North-West of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Ryde Municipality of Hunter's Hill
State electorate(s)	Lane Cove
Federal Division(s)	Bennelong North Sydney
Suburbs around Gladesville: East Ryde Hunters Hill Hunters Hill Tennyson Point Gladesville Huntleys Point Putney Abbotsford Henley

Gladesville is a suburb located in the Lower North Shore area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 10 kilometres north-west of the main city centre of Sydney. Gladesville is managed by two local councils: the City of Ryde and the Municipality of Hunter's Hill.

This suburb offers beautiful views of the Parramatta River and has lovely bushland areas. The famous Gladesville Bridge, which connects the North Shore to the Inner West of Sydney, is named after this suburb.

History of Gladesville

First Peoples of the Land

Before Europeans arrived, the land where Gladesville now stands belonged to the Wallumettagal people. They were part of the larger Eora nation. You can still find signs of their history here today. For example, in Glades Bay Park, you can see ancient rock carvings and grinding grooves made by the Wallumettagal people.

European Settlement and Naming

When Europeans first settled here, the area was called Doody's Bay. This was after John Doody, a convict artist, received a land grant in 1795. Over time, other people also received land grants.

In 1817, a man named John Glade bought Doody's land. He was an "emancipist," meaning he was a former convict who had been set free. John Glade bought more land nearby, making his property much larger. After he passed away in 1848, his land was sold to a Sydney lawyer, Mr. W. Billyard. In 1855, Mr. Billyard divided the land into smaller blocks and sold them, naming the new area "Gladesville" after John Glade.

Gladesville Hospital

A very important part of Gladesville's history is the hospital that was built there. In 1838, the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum was opened on the banks of the Parramatta River. It was the first hospital in New South Wales built specifically to help people with mental health challenges. Many of its buildings were designed by a famous architect named Mortimer Lewis.

Over the years, the hospital's name changed several times. In 1869, it became the Gladesville Hospital for the Insane, and in 1915, it was called the Gladesville Mental Hospital. Today, many of the old buildings at the Gladesville complex are protected because of their historical importance.

The Priory

One of the historic buildings linked to the hospital is a two-storey sandstone house called The Priory. It was built in the 1840s and later sold to a French religious group called the Marist Fathers. The hospital bought it in 1888. It's a beautiful old building with a unique design.

Banjo Paterson's Home

Banjo Paterson Park

Another famous historical spot is a cottage called Rockend. The well-known Australian poet, Banjo Paterson, lived here in the 1870s and 1880s when he was a student at Sydney Grammar School. The house was built around 1850 and belonged to his grandmother. Many artists and writers visited the house.

Today, Rockend is still standing and is open to the public in Banjo Paterson Park. It's a great place to visit and learn about the past. Banjo Paterson remembered how the river used to be full of boats carrying fruit and wood, and how people would fish and cook their meals right on the river.

Halmeg Linseed Oil Factory

From 1923 to 1974, Gladesville was home to the Halmeg Linseed Oil factory. This factory made linseed oil, which was used in paints, varnishes, and other products. The owner, Harold Meggit, encouraged his employees to help solve problems and even shared profits with them. Halmeg was also the first company in Australia to produce Safflower Oil.

Monash Park

Monash Park is a small area within Gladesville. It's known for its sports oval, which is also called Monash Park.

Heritage-Listed Sites

Gladesville has several places that are protected because of their historical importance:

• Manning Road: The Priory, Gladesville
• 144 Ryde Road: Gladesville Drill Hall
• Victoria Road: Gladesville Bridge

Education in Gladesville

Gladesville has four primary schools: Gladesville Public School, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School, Christ Church Gladesville Preschool, and Boronia Park Public School.

There are also many high schools nearby. Riverside Girls High School is in the neighbouring suburb of Huntleys Point. For boys, St Joseph's College is in Hunters Hill, and Holy Cross College is in Ryde. For girls, Marist Sisters' College Woolwich is close by in Woolwich. Ryde Secondary College, a public high school, is also located in Ryde.

People of Gladesville

In 2016, there were 11,827 people living in Gladesville. Most people (about 65%) were born in Australia. Other countries where people were born include China, England, Italy, New Zealand, and India.

English is the main language spoken at home by about 69% of residents. Other languages spoken include Mandarin, Italian, Cantonese, Greek, and Spanish. The most common religion is Catholic, followed by people who do not have a religion, and then Anglican.

Gladesville is considered a well-off suburb. Many residents work as professionals, managers, or in administrative roles. The average weekly incomes for people and families in Gladesville are higher than the average for Australia. Homes in Gladesville are a mix of separate houses and apartments or townhouses.

Shopping and Fun

The main shopping area in Gladesville is along Victoria Road. You'll find a shopping centre called Gladesville Shopping Village, which has a Coles supermarket. There are also many restaurants and cafes serving different types of food, like Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Greek, Mexican, and Italian.

For entertainment, you can visit places like the Bayview Hotel, The Sawdust Hotel, Gladesville "Sporties" Bowling Club, and the Gladesville Returned and Services League Club.

Places to Visit

• Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church
• Christ Church Gladesville, Anglican Church
• St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church
• GladesHill Presbyterian Church
• Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare, a group that helps children and their parents in hospitals.
• Glades Bay Park, located at the end of Linsley Street, has a walking track where you can see Aboriginal rock carvings and grinding grooves.

Gladesville Bridge

Getting Around Gladesville

Victoria Road is the main road that runs through Gladesville. Many bus routes use this road, connecting the suburb to the Sydney CBD and Ryde. Some buses even go as far as Parramatta. Other bus services connect Gladesville to Chatswood and Woolwich.

You can also catch a Sydney Ferries boat from the Huntleys Point ferry wharf in the nearby suburb of Huntleys Point. The F3 Parramatta River service stops here regularly.

Famous People from Gladesville

• Banjo Paterson: The famous Australian poet lived at a cottage called Rockend in Gladesville from 1874 to the 1880s while he was a student.

Gallery

• 

  Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (1925), Victoria Road

• 

  Rockend, former home of Banjo Paterson

• 

  The Priory, Salter Street

• 

  Former Medical Superintendent's Residence, Gladesville Mental Hospital

• 

  Aboriginal rock carving in Glades Bay Park