Mortdale, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mortdale Sydney, New South Wales
Morts Road, Mortdale
Mortdale Location in New South Wales
Population	10,419 (2016 census)
Established	1885
Postcode(s)	2223
Location	17 km (11 mi) south of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Georges River Council
State electorate(s)	Oatley
Federal Division(s)	Banks
Suburbs around Mortdale: Peakhurst Beverly Hills Penshurst Mortdale Peakhurst Heights Oatley Hurstville Grove

Mortdale Memorial Park

Lime Kiln Bay

Mortdale is a suburb located in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mortdale is located 20 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the St George area. Mortdale is situated in the local government area of Georges River Council. Mortdale extends south to Lime Kiln Bay, on the Georges River. Mortdale Heights is a locality in the western corner of the suburb.

History

Mortdale has been known in the past as Mort's Road, Mort's Hill, Mort's Crossing, Mort's Township and Mort Dale. The suburb was named after Sydney industrialist Thomas Sutcliffe Mort (1816–1878) who was famous for pioneering the refrigeration of shipping meat and the construction of Mort's Dock, Balmain. Thomas Mort purchased the land from Robert Townson (1763–1827), who had been granted land in the Hurstville area with his brother John Townson.

A small farming community started when the land around Mort's Road was subdivided into 17 farms. The Hurstville Steam Brick Company (better known as Judds Brickworks) was established in 1884 by William George Judd. The large brick-making chimneys were easily seen from around the district. The first residences were built opposite the Brickworks in 1885. The railway was extended through the district around the same time. The railway divided two of the main farms, Kemp's orange orchard and Parkes's farm near Victoria Avenue, and these were subdivided for housing by 1894. The official title for the suburb was set as Mortdale when the railway station opened with that name on 20 March 1897.

The school opened in January 1889, and the post office and grocery store opened in November. Mortdale became a popular residential suburb in 1920s for soldiers returning from World War I.

In 1921, there was a movement for Mortdale to split from Hurstville and form a separate municipality. An official 1923 inquiry into the proposed Municipality of Mortdale decided against the change, despite the separation movement having the law behind them.

At the same time there was also a push to have the name of Mortdale changed due to its similarity with the suburb of Mortlake and the association with its literal translation from Latin ('Valley of the Dead'). Suggestions by various groups over several years included: Leyton, Montrose, Morella, Kingrose and Boronia. A final list approved by the Department of Lands were: Carruthers, Princemead, Wyargine, and Storrieville, but the matter was never resolved.

Transport

Mortdale railway station is on the Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line of the Sydney Trains network. Mortdale is a 30min (approx) train journey from the city. Punchbowl Bus Company services 944, 945 and 955 run throughout the week, with limited services on weekends.

Parks and Waterways

• Mortdale Memorial Park, Renown Park, Jubilee Park, Hurstville Golf Course, Mick Downes Reserve, Oatley Heights Park, Lime Kiln Bay Reserve, Olds Park, Edith Park, Beatty Street Reserve, Ruby Wing Reserve, Paddy Tyler Reserve, Milsop Place Reserve, Sunlea Avenue Reserve, Treloar Avenue Reserve, Walter Street Reserve, Nicol Murray Reserve, Lesley Crescent Reserve,

Mortdale Memorial Park

• Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, Dairy Creek

Landmarks

• Historic Buildings - Mortdale Fire Station, Old Police Station, Mortdale Hotel, Mortdale railway station, Mortdale RSL Club, Mortdale Bowling Club (demolished 2012), St George Masonic Club, Mortdale Scout Hall, Mortdale Senior Citizens Centre, Ellen Subway underpass.
• Mortdale Memorial Park - Contains a perimeter of large Small-leaved Fig trees, a classical rotunda and a decorative War Memorial. The park is popular for picnics, weddings, and concerts.

Pop culture

Mortdale has been colloquially referred to as the "Valley of the Dead" or "Death Valley", due to the Latin mort ("death") and English dale ("valley"). In 1992, Su Cruickshank, published a book entitled 'Bring A Plate to The Mortdale Scout Hall - The Autobiography of a Fat Tart Complete with Recipes'.

Population

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, there were 9,702 people usually resident in Mortdale. 36.5% stated they were born overseas with the top countries of birth being China 7.25%, United Kingdom 3.0% and Macedonia 2.65%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 60.6% of residents and the most common other languages spoken were Cantonese 5.5%, Mandarin 6.4% and Macedonian 4.4%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 26.7%, Anglican 16.0% and Orthodox 4.1%.

Mortdale households consisted of 44% occupied by families, 24% by couples with no children at home, 13% by a single resident, and 19% by others. 34% of households were purchasing their homes, 33% were renting, and 31% were owned outright.

Notable residents

• Mark Gasnier - St George Rugby league footballer
• Reg Gasnier - St George Rugby league footballer
• Billy Smith - St George Rugby league footballer
• Ruby Violet Payne-Scott (1912-1981) - physicist, radio astronomer and schoolteacher
• Miguel Leone - Author
• Francis Smith/DJ Fran Damme - International DJ

Sport

• Hurstville Golf Course - 18-hole golf course
• Ken Rosewall Tennis Centre - 8 tennis courts adjoining the golf course
• Renown United Rugby League Club - play at Renown Park, Mortdale
• Mortdale Heights Cricket Club - play at Oatley Park Oval
• Hurstville Small Bore Range - rimfire shooting rifle range opposite the golf course
• Beatty Street Reserve - Cricket Nets
• Jubilee Park - netball court

Images for kids

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  Mortdale Fire Station

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  Mortdale Hotel

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  Woronora Lodge, Mortdale Masonic Centre (now demolished)