Sylvania, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SylvaniaSydney, New South Wales |
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Georges River at Sylvania
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| Population | 10,479 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2224 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 20 m (66 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 22 km (14 mi) south of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Sutherland Shire | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Miranda | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
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Sylvania is a suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 22 kilometers south of the main city center of Sydney. Sylvania is part of the Sutherland Shire area.
This suburb is well-known for its beautiful waterfront homes and many restaurants. Most of Sylvania is residential, meaning people live there. However, it also has areas of natural bushland and some shops along the Princes Highway and Port Hacking Road. Sylvania Heights is a smaller part of Sylvania. The nearby areas of Sylvania Waters and Kangaroo Point share the same postcode, 2224.
Contents
Discovering Sylvania's Past
Who Lived in Sylvania First?
The original people of Sylvania are the Dharawal Aboriginal people. They have a long history in this area. You can still find signs of their ancient culture. These include old shell middens (piles of shells from meals), burial sites, and rock art in shelters near the Georges River.
How Did Sylvania Get Its Name?
After European settlers arrived, the land was first owned by John Connell Laycock. Later, a rich landowner and politician named Thomas Holt bought it. He owned a very large area called the Holt-Sutherland Estate. The name "Sylvania" comes from the Latin word sylvan or sylva, which means "forest land." This name was chosen because the area used to be covered in thick forests.
When Did Sylvania Start to Grow?
Sadly, much of Sylvania's original forest is disappearing because of new buildings. In 1818, Thomas Holt built a large house called Sutherland House. A small village began to grow there. A post office opened in 1883, and a school started in 1884. The school closed for a while but reopened in 1925. Sylvania Heights Public School opened later, in 1955.
What Are Sylvania's Old Buildings?
Sutherland House no longer stands today, but you can still see its old gate posts. Sylvania has several buildings that are important because of their history. These include the first St Mark's timber church, which is now a classroom at Sylvania Public School. There's also an old timber house on Evelyn Street connected to the Holt Estate. Other historic homes include 'Glenn Robin,' built in 1954, and 'Green Gables,' built between 1946 and 1952.
What is Sylvania Waters?
A large part of Sylvania Waters was created by filling in Gwawley Bay. This process changed the natural environment, especially the mangrove forests. The Sylvania Waters Estate was built in the 1960s. It offered homes with water access and places for boats. The streets in this area are named after Australian rivers, like Shoalhaven and Hawkesbury, to show their connection to water.
Shopping and Services in Sylvania
Where Can You Shop in Sylvania?
The main shopping area is the Southgate Shopping Centre. It is located where the Princes Highway meets Port Hacking Road. Next to the shopping center, you can find The Crest Hotel Sylvania and a McDonald's restaurant.
There are also smaller groups of shops and restaurants. One group is on the Princes Highway near the Tom Uglys Bridge. Another group of shops, called Sylvania Heights Plaza, is located further west on the Princes Highway in Sylvania Heights.
Getting Around Sylvania
How Do People Travel in Sylvania?
The Princes Highway is a major road that goes through Sylvania. It crosses the Georges River on the Tom Uglys Bridge. This bridge connects Sylvania to Blakehurst in the north. Buses operated by U-Go Mobility provide public transport services in the suburb.
Schools in Sylvania
Sylvania has several schools for students:
- Sylvania Heights Public School
- Sylvania High School
- Sylvania Public School
Places of Worship in Sylvania
Sylvania has different churches for various faiths:
- Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church
- St Michael's Orthodox Church
- Sylvania Anglican Church
- Sylvania Uniting Church
Who Lives in Sylvania?
According to a 2016 survey, 10,479 people lived in Sylvania. Most residents, about 72.1%, were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England, China, New Zealand, and Greece.
English is the main language spoken at home by 70.2% of residents. Other languages spoken include Greek, Arabic, and Cantonese. For religion, the most common choices were Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox. Many residents also stated they had no religion.
Famous People from Sylvania
Some well-known people have lived in Sylvania:
- Graham Annesley – a former politician and rugby league referee.
- Myles Baldwin – a person who works with plants and gardens.
- Brielle Davis – a music artist.
- Jim Russell – a cartoonist.
- Glenn Wheeler – a media personality.
Images for kids
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Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church
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House, Belgrave Esplanade
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