Green Valley, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green ValleySydney, New South Wales |
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The Valley Plaza
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| Population | 12,516 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1973 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2168 | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 39 km (24 mi) W of Sydney | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Liverpool | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Liverpool | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Werriwa | ||||||||||||||
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Green Valley is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 39 kilometers west of the main city center of Sydney. Green Valley is part of the City of Liverpool area. It is also part of the larger Greater Western Sydney region.
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Discovering Green Valley's Past
Green Valley was once home to the Cabrogal people. They were an Aboriginal group who spoke the Darug language. The land was covered in eucalyptus forests. Many native animals lived there, like wallabies and possums. The Cabrogal people hunted these animals for food and materials.
Early European Settlement
In 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie started a town nearby called Liverpool. Soon after, British settlers were given land in the surrounding areas. They began to clear the forests to create farms. A large area northwest of Liverpool was named Green Valley. This area was much bigger than the Green Valley we know today. It included places like Ashcroft and Miller.
One of the first settlers was Peter Miller. The nearby suburb of Miller is named after him. Another important person was Charles Scrivener. He was the mayor of Liverpool. He helped set up Green Valley School in 1882. At first, the school was just a large tent. Later, a wooden building was built for the students.
Growing into a Suburb
By the 1960s, Sydney was growing fast. More and more people needed homes. The Housing Commission started a huge project. They built the Green Valley Housing Estate between 1961 and 1965. This was the biggest housing plan ever tried in Australia at that time.
In just a few years, 7,464 homes were built. By 1966, over 24,000 people lived there. Before this, the area was mostly farms. It took some time for the new residents to get all the services they needed. Things like public transport, health services, and shopping centers were added later.
Unlike older parts of Sydney, Green Valley's streets are not straight. They follow the natural shape of the land. This means many streets are curved. Many streets in Green Valley have Aboriginal names. Some examples are Arunta, Kinkuna, and Naranghi.
Learning in Green Valley
Green Valley has several schools for students of different ages.
- Busby West Public School
- Green Valley Public School
- James Busby High School
- Minarah College
Who Lives in Green Valley?
The 2016 census counted 12,516 people living in Green Valley. Most homes in the suburb are stand-alone houses. Many families are buying their homes.
Languages Spoken
About 28% of people in Green Valley speak only English at home. Many other languages are also spoken. These include Vietnamese, Arabic, Fiji-Hindi, Spanish, and Assyrian Neo-Aramaic. This shows how diverse the community is.
Religious Beliefs
The most common religious beliefs in Green Valley are Catholic and Buddhist. Islam and no religion are also common.
Age of Residents
The average age of people in Green Valley is 33 years old. About 21% of the people are 14 years old or younger. This means there are many young people and families in the area.
Working Life
Most people in Green Valley work full-time. Some work part-time. The unemployment rate is a bit higher than the average.
Famous Faces from Green Valley
Frank Oliveri was a well-known person in Liverpool. He moved to Green Valley from Italy in the 1950s. Frank Oliveri and his family owned the Liverpool City Raceway. They also owned a local bus company. He was a Liverpool City Councilor for over 40 years. He served as mayor twice. A tribute to Frank Oliveri is at the Green Valley library. It includes a photo of him at the Liverpool City Speedway.
Eric Hall sold some of his land to Frank Oliveri. This land became part of the Liverpool City Raceway. Eric Hall also had a radio show called "Happy Harmonies." He broadcast it for 17 years.
