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Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney
McDonald, Helen

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

McDonald, Helen

Author

Helen McDonald is local studies librarian at Sutherland Library, Sydney

Como as Author

Engadine as Author

Jannali as Author

Sutherland as Author

Yarrawarrah as Author

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Como

Dharawal country until the Europeans started moving in in the 1860s, Como's position on two rivers made it an early oyster-gathering spot and tourist attraction. From the 1890s subdivision brought new residents to the area, and Como developed into a suburban village. During the Depression in the 1930s, reclamation and other relief works changed the shoreline and connected Como by road to Sutherland.

Engadine

First inhabited by the Tharawal people, the area later called Engadine was part of the village of Heathcote until bought by Charles McAlister and renamed Engadine after a valley in Switzerland. Subdivisions in the 1910s were offered to soldier settlers, and the construction of a railway platform brought more residents. The 1930s depression saw a large shanty town develop. After World War II, suburban development increased, bringing improved services.

Jannali

A bushland suburb that expanded rapidly with improved road and rail access, Jannali remains an affordable commuter village.

Sutherland

Tharawal people were the traditional owners of the country before Europeans arrived. It became Thomas Holt's South Botany Estate, out of which were carved the Royal National Park and a railway, both of which brought daytrippers and residents to Sutherland. A series of speculative land companies subdivided, and by 1900 a thriving town had grown.

Yarrawarrah

Known as North Engadine until 1971, Yarrawarrah's cheap land, isolation and influx of camp-dwellers during the Depression made it a poor relation of surrounding suburbs. Development after the 1960s releases of Crown land has resulted in a pleasant bushland suburb.