Camperdown, New South Wales

History

Camperdown takes its name from the Battle of Camperdown (or Camperduin in Dutch). It was named by Governor William Bligh who received a grant of 240 acres (1 km2) of land covering present day Camperdown and parts of Newtown. The land passed to Bligh's son-in-law Maurice O'Connell, commander of the 73rd Regiment, later Sir Maurice, when Bligh returned to England. Camperdown was established as a residential and farming area in the early 19th century.

In 1827, a racecourse was opened on land where the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital now stands. The University of Sydney was incorporated in 1850 and its first buildings were designed by Edmund Blacket (1817–1883). In 1859, Blacket's Great Hall was opened at the university.

Heritage listings

Camperdown has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• 10, 14 Australia Street: Cranbrook
• Missenden Road: Admission Block, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Missenden Road: Victoria & Albert Pavilions, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Corner of Parramatta and City Roads: Victoria Park

Image:Camperdown Royal Prince Alfred Hospital 1.JPG|Kerry Packer Education Centre Image:Camperdown Royal Prince Alfred Hospital 2.JPG|Royal Prince Albert Pavilion Image:Camperdown Royal Prince Alfred Hospital 3.JPG|Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Demographics

At the 2021 census there were 9,381 people living in Camperdown. In Camperdown, 59.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 5.0%, China 3.7%, New Zealand 3.0%, India 1.8% and United States of America 1.6%. 73.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 4.5% and Cantonese 1.8%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 58.1% and Catholic 14.7%.

Education

A large part of Camperdown is taken up by the University of Sydney and the residential colleges within the university. These colleges include: St John's College, St Andrew's College, St Paul's College, Sancta Sophia College, Wesley College and The Women's College.

Image:Main Quadrangle in the University of Sydney.JPG|Main Quadrangle, University of Sydney Image:Camperdown St Andrews College.JPG|St Andrew's College, University of Sydney Image:Camperdown St Johns College.JPG|St John's College, University of Sydney Image:Camperdown Womens College.JPG|The Women's College, University of Sydney

Houses

In common with neighbouring inner city suburbs such as Newtown and Enmore, Camperdown has large areas of Victorian terraced housing, including many examples of single storey terraces. There are several examples of semi-detached houses which became popular around the time of Australia's Federation at the turn of the 20th century. With the advent of gentrification, from the late 20th century, modern infill development now tends to be sympathetic with the traditional Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes.

Image:Single Storey Terraces.jpg|Modest terraced homes Image:Rare Weatherboard Terraces.jpg|Weatherboard terraces Image:Former Corner Store.jpg|Former corner store Image:Sympathetic Modern Development.jpg|Infill

Parks

Victoria Park is located on the corner of Parramatta Road and City Road, adjacent to the University of Sydney.

Camperdown Park is surrounded by Mallett, Pidcock, Fowler and Australia Streets and includes several sports grounds and an urban farm.

Contrary to popular belief and naming conventions, the highly-frequented 'Camperdown Memorial Park' is actually located in the suburb of Newtown.

Transport

Roads

Parramatta Road (Great Western Highway) (A22) is a major transport artery between Sydney and Parramatta. It runs across the northern side of Camperdown. City Road (A36) is part of a major route to the southern suburbs of Sydney. It meets Parramatta Road and Broadway at a major intersection on the eastern tip of Camperdown. Both City Road and Parramatta Road had tram services until the late 1950s.

In popular culture

The suburb is mentioned in the song "Australia Street" by the band Sticky Fingers, featuring on their 2013 album Caress Your Soul. Also, poem titled "The Sleeping City, Australia Street" by Helen Loughlin references many sites around the Camperdown area.

Notable people

• Anthony Albanese, politician, leader of the Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister of Australia and member of House of Representatives, for Grayndler
• Bob Holland, test cricketer
• Mile Jedinak, footballer
• Beverly Robertson, Lions Australia
• Eddie Woo, maths teacher
• Cristian Volpato, footballer

References

References

1. {{Census 2021 AUS
2. "Camperdown NSW Info Guide - Attractions & Things To Do {{!}} Travel NSW".
3. "Camperdown".
4. Dando-Collins, Captain Bligh's Other Mutiny, Random House, Sydney, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-74166-798-1
5. ''The Book of Sydney Suburbs'', Compiled by Frances Pollon, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia {{ISBN. 0-207-14495-8
6. {{cite NSW SHR. 5045210. Cranbrook Group
7. {{cite NSW SHR. 5012305. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Admission Block
8. {{cite NSW SHR. 5012306. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Victoria & Albert Pavilions
9. {{cite NSW SHR. 5056444. The University of Sydney, University Colleges and Victoria Park
10. "2021 Camperdown (NSW), Census All persons QuickStats".
11. "About Camperdown".
12. "Camperdown Park".
13. "Camperdown Memorial Rest Park - Inner West Council".
14. Zetland, Red Room Poetry ABN: 35 103 464 446 Joynton Avenue Creative Centre 3A Joynton Ave. "The Sleeping City {{!}} Australia Street".