Merrylands, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MerrylandsSydney, New South Wales |
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High-rise residential apartments at Pitt Street, November 2024.
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| Population | 32,472 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1855 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2160 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 25 km (16 mi) west of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Cumberland City Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) |
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Merrylands is a lively suburb located in Western Sydney, Australia. It is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of the main Sydney city center. Merrylands is part of the Cumberland City Council area.
Contents
History of Merrylands
Merrylands got its name from a special place in England! Arthur Todd Holroyd (1806–1887) owned land here in 1855. He named the area after his former home in England. He also gave his name to the nearby suburb of Holroyd.
Shopping and Commercial Areas
Merrylands has a busy shopping area. It is located around the Merrylands railway station on Merrylands Road. Many buildings here have a cool, old-fashioned "art deco" style. These buildings were built in the 1930s and 1940s.
Stockland Merrylands is a big shopping center. It has supermarkets, large department stores, and many different specialty shops.
Transport in Merrylands
Getting around Merrylands is easy! The Merrylands railway station is on the Old Main South train line. This connects Merrylands to other parts of Sydney. There is also parking available for people who drive to the station.
Buses also run through Merrylands. You can catch a bus from Liverpool to Parramatta. Major roads like Woodville Road and the Western Motorway M4 help people travel by car. Other important roads include Coleman Street, Hawkesview Road, Neil Street, Pitt Street, Lois Street, and Excelsior Street.
Churches in Merrylands
Merrylands is home to many different churches. These include Merrylands East Presbyterian Church, St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church, and Merrylands Anglican Church. You can also find Merrylands Baptist Church, Merrylands Uniting Church, Merrylands Presbyterian Church, an Evangelical church, and C3 Church Merrylands.
St Raphael's Slovenian Catholic Church
There is a special Catholic church called St Raphael's. It is on the corner of Warwick Road and Merrylands Road. This church is unique because it was the first and only church in Merrylands for a long time. It also has a very interesting design. It mixes old-fashioned Gothic style with modern ideas. The church was completed and opened in 1973. Later, a church hall was built in 1983. This hall became a place for many cultural activities.
Parks and Green Spaces
Merrylands has several wonderful parks and green areas for everyone to enjoy.
Central Gardens Nature Reserve
Central Gardens is a nature reserve with lots of wildlife. You can find kangaroos, emus, and many different birds here. There are also waterfalls around a beautiful lake. The park has areas called Pinnaroo and Yarrabee. You can rent these areas from Cumberland Council for a day. You can reach Central Gardens by road or by bus from Merrylands Station.
Ted Burge Reserve
Ted Burge Reserve is a large sporting field. It is used for many different sports. People play cricket, soccer, softball, and netball here.
Merrylands Park
Merrylands Park is located on the corner of Merrylands Road and Burnett Street. This park has sporting fields and tennis courts. It also has barbecue areas for picnics.
Merrylands Swimming Centre
The Merrylands Swimming Centre is part of Merrylands Park. It opened in 1968 and is run by Cumberland Council. The swimming center was heated in 2004. It has three pools: a large 50-meter competition pool with eight lanes, a training pool, and a small pool for babies. The water in the main pools is heated to 27 degrees Celsius.
The Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club calls this center home. It is one of the biggest swimming clubs in the area.
Granville Park
Granville Park is a large park located east of the railway line. It covers about 13.2 hectares (about 32 acres). The park has several sporting fields. It also features a barbecue area, a basketball court, and cricket nets. There is playground equipment for kids to enjoy. When circuses visit the area, they often set up their shows here.
Cycleways
Several main bike paths go through Merrylands and nearby suburbs. These paths connect to places like Liverpool, Penrith, and even Sydney Harbour. The M4 motorway has an exit at Crown Street in Parramatta. This exit provides access to Parramatta, Merrylands, and Holroyd for cyclists.
People and Community (Demographics)
According to the 2021 census, there were 32,472 people living in Merrylands.
- About half of the people were male, and half were female.
- Many people in Merrylands have family backgrounds from different countries. The most common backgrounds include Lebanese, Australian, Chinese, English, and Afghan.
- About 4 out of 10 people were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include Lebanon, China, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal.
- While many people speak English at home, a large number also speak other languages. Some of the other languages spoken include Arabic, Mandarin, Hazaraghi, Nepali, and Dari.
- The most common religions in Merrylands are Islam and Catholicism. Many people also reported having no religion.
- People in Merrylands work in many different jobs. These include professionals, office workers, tradespeople, and people who work in community services.
Well-Known People from Merrylands
Merrylands has been home to several notable people:
- Betty Cuthbert – A famous track and field athlete. She was born in Merrylands.
- Elie El-Zakhem – A rugby league player.
- Wendy Ey – A track and field athlete.
- Mosese Fotuaika – A rugby league player.
- Howard Fowles – A politician.
- John Ibrahim – A well-known person whose family grew up in Merrylands.
- Frank Louat – A barrister (a type of lawyer).
- Barkaa (born Chloe Quayle) – A talented rapper and musician. She grew up in Merrylands.
- Michael Regan – A politician.
- Dani Stevens – A discus thrower.
- Eric Tweedale – A rugby union player. He was raised in Merrylands.
