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Penshurst, New South Wales facts for kids

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Penshurst
SydneyNew South Wales
Penshurst Church 1.JPG
St Johns Anglican Church, King Georges Road
Population 12,786 (2016 census)
Established 1884
Postcode(s) 2222
Elevation 56 m (184 ft)
Location 17 km (11 mi) south-west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s) Georges River Council
State electorate(s)
  • Oatley
  • Kogarah
Federal Division(s)
Suburbs around Penshurst:
Mortdale Beverly Hills Beverly Hills
Mortdale Penshurst Hurstville
Oatley Hurstville Grove Hurstville
Penshurst Shops
Penshurst Street
Penshurst Church 2
West Maling, King Georges Road, one of the earliest examples of the Queen Anne style in Australia
Penshurst Aquatic
Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, King Georges Road

Penshurst is a friendly suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 17 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. Penshurst is known for its homes, which range from single houses to smaller apartment buildings.

A Glimpse into Penshurst's Past

Penshurst got its name from a town called Penshurst, in Kent, England. The land here was first given to Robert Townson. Later, in 1830, John Connell bought the land. He then left it to his grandsons.

The early jobs in Penshurst were cutting timber and small-scale farming. The local railway station opened on May 17, 1890. A big part of Penshurst, south of the railway line, is called the MacRae's Estate. This area used to belong to the MacRae family.

Historic Places to See

Penshurst has some special places that are listed for their history. These include:

Shopping and Fun in Penshurst

The main shopping area in Penshurst is near the railway station. You'll find shops along Penshurst Street, Bridge Street, and The Strand. There are also shops on Forest Road and King Georges Road.

The Penshurst RSL Club is a popular spot for social events. You can also find The Gamesmen Store and Museum here. It's a cool place dedicated to video games from 1982 onwards.

Getting Around Penshurst

Penshurst railway station is on the Illawarra Line. This is part of the Sydney Trains network. A train ride to Sydney Central takes about 27 minutes.

The main roads in Penshurst are King Georges Road and Forest Road. U-Go Mobility also runs bus services 941 and 943 in the area.

Places of Worship

Penshurst is home to many different places of worship, showing its diverse community:

  • St Declan's Roman Catholic Church
  • St John Anglican Church
  • St Andrew Presbyterian
  • Penshurst Uniting Church
  • Penshurst Mosque (Australian Bosnian Islamic Society)
  • Penshurst Jehovahs Witnesses Kingdom Hall
  • Penshurst Assemblies of God Church
  • Revival Life Centre
  • Penshurst General Church of New Jerusalem

Schools in Penshurst

Penshurst has several schools for students of different ages:

  • George's River Girls High School
  • Marist College Penshurst
  • St Declans Catholic Primary School
  • Penshurst Public School
  • Penshurst West Primary School
  • Hurstville Grove Infants School

Sports and Recreation

Penshurst offers many ways to stay active and have fun. There's an Aquatic Centre, a park, and tennis courts.

The Penshurst RSL Junior Rugby League Club is a rugby league team. They play as part of the St. George District Junior Rugby League. Their home ground is HV Evatt Park in nearby Lugarno.

Penshurst also has a local cricket club. They have been playing in the St George District Cricket Association for over 50 years. Their home base is Olds Park, which also has a soccer club.

Penshurst Park and Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre are both located on King Georges Road.

Local Parks

Penshurst has several parks where you can relax and play:

  • Penshurst Park
  • McRaes Park
  • Gifford Park

Who Lives in Penshurst?

In the 2016 Census, there were 12,786 people living in Penshurst. The most common backgrounds were Chinese, English, and Australian. Many people in Penshurst were born in Australia, but others came from countries like China, Nepal, and Hong Kong.

While many people speak English at home, other languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, and Nepali are also common. The community has a mix of different religious beliefs.

Famous People from Penshurst

Penshurst has been home to some notable people:

  • Ruby Olive Boye-Jones (1891–1990), a coastwatcher.
  • Sue Denison, who received an award for her work as a nurse.
  • Colin Fraser, a rugby league player.
  • John Patrick Hamilton, a recipient of the Victoria Cross, a very brave award.
  • Jack Holland, another rugby league player.
  • Jock Marshall (1911–1967), a professor who studied animals.
  • Jack McCormack, a rugby league player.
  • Arthur McGuinness (1878–1970), a school teacher and union leader.
  • Chris Minns (born 1979), who grew up in Penshurst and later became the 47th Premier of New South Wales (a top political leader for the state).
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