Marion, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marion Adelaide, South Australia
Retail outlets on Marion Road
Established	1838
Postcode(s)	5043
Location	10 km (6 mi) from Adelaide city centre
LGA(s)	City of Marion
State electorate(s)	Gibson
Federal Division(s)	Boothby
Suburbs around Marion: Morphettville Park Holme Ascot Park Oaklands Park Marion Mitchell Park Seacombe Gardens Sturt Bedford Park

Marion is a suburb located in the City of Marion. It is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Adelaide's city center. Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia. Marion started as a small village in 1838 next to the Sturt River. It had very fertile soil, which helped its population grow quickly. Colonel William Light, who also designed Adelaide, planned out the village of Marion.

Marion is surrounded by several roads. Oaklands Road is to the north, Marion Road to the east, and Sturt Road to the south. A straight line from Finniss Street to The Parade forms its western border.

History of Marion

How Marion Got Its Name

The town of Marion was planned by William Light and B. T. Finniss in 1838. It was named after Marianne Fisher, who was born in 1827. She was the daughter of James Hurtle Fisher, a very important official at the time.

Early Life and Growth

In its early days, Marion was known for growing many different foods. Farmers grew vegetables, stone fruits like peaches, almonds, and grapes. Richard Hamilton started the first vineyard in 1838. His family still makes wine today.

By the late 1800s, Marion also had some industries. These included mining and making bricks. However, the population was still quite small, with only about 350 people living there. Over time, the city of Adelaide grew bigger and spread out. By the 1950s, Marion was fully surrounded by the growing city.

Parks and Green Spaces

Marion has many parks and natural areas for people to enjoy. There is a large sports complex near Sturt Road. It has ovals for different sports and a basketball stadium. You can also find parks on Norfolk Road, Tilley Crescent, Nicholas Road, Oakleigh Road, George Street, and Alison Avenue.

Marion also shares the Oaklands Reserve with the nearby suburb of Oaklands Park. The City of Marion Swimming Centre is very close to Marion, located in Park Holme.

The Sturt River Linear Park is a walking and cycling trail. It follows the Sturt River through the southwest part of Adelaide. The trail goes all the way from Marion to Glenelg.

Community Facilities

Schools and Education

Westminster School is a large private school in Marion. It is located on Alison Avenue, close to the railway line. This school teaches students from the first year of school (Reception) all the way to Year 12. It also offers boarding for students who live there.

Marion High School used to serve the young people of the area for over 40 years. It was on York Avenue in Clovelly Park. The school closed in 1996. Now, the area has mostly new houses. Only the old school hall remains, and it is called Cosgrove Hall. It was named after a headmaster who worked at the school for a long time.

Clubs and Organizations

You can find churches of different types in Marion. The Marion Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) Club is on Norfolk Road. This club supports people who have served in the military.

There are also two bowling clubs in Marion. One is on Norfolk Road, near the RSL club. The other is on Sturt Road, next to Sturt Oval.

Aquatic Centre

In April 2011, the South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre opened. It is on Morphett Road in Oaklands Park. This center has some of the most modern swimming and diving facilities in Australia. The Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann, opened the center. He was joined by Marion Mayor Felicity-Ann Lewis. Both Mayor Lewis and Premier Rann had worked hard for many years to make sure South Australia had a place for Olympic-level water sports.

Local Government and Representation

Marion is part of the City of Marion. The main offices for the city council are in the nearby suburb of Sturt.

For state elections, Marion is divided between two areas: the Elder and Mitchell electorates. For federal elections, Marion is part of the Division of Boothby.

Transportation in Marion

Train Services

Marion has its own train station. It is located between Minchinbury Terrace and Fairne Terrace. From this station, you can travel north to Adelaide's city center. You can also travel south to Noarlunga.

Bus Routes

Two main bus routes serve the Marion area:

• The M44 bus starts at Marion Shopping Centre. It travels along Finniss Street and Marion Road to Adelaide's city center. From there, it uses the O-Bahn Busway to go to Golden Grove.
• The 241 bus also starts at Marion Shopping Centre. It travels along Morphett Road, Oaklands Road, and Daws Road to reach the city center.