Kogarah Local History
Kogarah is a suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The suburb has a rich history, with its name derived from the Aboriginal word 'cogarra', meaning "something on fire." Kogarah is situated approximately 14 kilometers (8.9 mi) south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the St George area.
The land in Kogarah was first owned by the Indigenous Cadigal people. However, the suburb was developed in the 19th century when William Redfern, a surgeon and landowner, was granted 100 acres in the area in 1812. The suburb started to grow after the construction of the railway line from Sydney to Hurstville in 1884, which brought new people and businesses to the area.
Kogarah played a significant role in World War II as a defense and medical center. Several military camps were established in the suburb to support the war effort, including the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) Training Depot and the Army Medical Corps Training Depot. The district hospital was also converted into a military hospital to treat WWII soldiers. Moreover, the Kogarah Municipal Council established a war effort committee to ensure that Kogarah residents contributed towards the war effort.
The suburb's administration received municipal status in 1906. Kogarah's first mayor, Henry Jones, was elected in 1906. During Jones's tenure, several infrastructure developments were completed in Kogarah, like the building of the council chambers and the clock tower. Meanwhile, Mayor George Simms, who was elected in 1912, was responsible for the establishment of the Jubilee Oval and the construction of the Kogarah War Memorial.
In the late 1800s, St. George Leagues Club was established in Kogarah. In 1930, the club became the world's first licensed leagues club and became a significant part of the area's social and sporting scene. Kogarah experienced significant growth in the post-World War II period. The population expanded, and new businesses emerged, leading to an urban renewal of the area.
Kogarah has always been a multicultural area, with immigrants from various countries creating ethnic enclaves, particularly in the 1950s. Today, Kogarah has a diverse populace, with a significant percentage of its population of Chinese, Greek, and Lebanese descent.
In conclusion, Kogarah continues to be an essential part of Sydney's cultural and historical landscape. The suburb's unique history, from its Indigenous past to its WWII involvement and post-war growth, has made it what it is today: a bustling, multicultural community with a long and exciting history to share.