Dare to imagine bushrangers hiding out here. This is Bringelly. It is a suburb of Sydney in New South Wales. Bringelly sits on the Northern Road between Penrith and Camden. Let’s dive into Bringelly’s captivating past.
Bringelly was once a district name in early 19th-century Sydney. Later it became a parish in the County of Cumberland. The Parish of Bringelly included Greendale, Wallacia and Badgerys Creek. Robert Lowe received 1000 acres in Bringelly in 1812. He was likely the first British settler here.
By 1818 most land was granted and being cleared for farms. D’Arcy Wentworth a principal surgeon also received a grant. The Wild Colonial Boy Bold Jack Donahue supposedly hid here. He was killed on Wentworth’s property.
Kelvin also known as The Retreat is another notable property. Thomas Laycock Jnr built it in 1820. This Georgian farmhouse is surrounded by gardens. It is on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Luddenham Post Office became Bringelly Post Office in 1863. Before that it opened in 1857. Bringelly Public School opened in 1878. Local government arrived in 1906. The Shire of Nepean covered the area from Hoxton Park west to the Nepean River. It stretched south to Narellan. The Shire struggled. In 1948 the NSW Government amalgamated councils. Bringelly split between Liverpool and Camden Councils.
Bringelly sits next to Badgerys Creek where Western Sydney Airport will be. The NSW Government planned a new commercial center in Bringelly’s north. It was planned to be the city’s third commercial center after Sydney and Parramatta. In 2021 the new center was named Bradfield after Sydney Harbour Bridge engineer Dr. John Bradfield. In 2023 part of Bringelly became part of Bradfield.
In 2021 Bringelly had 2433 residents. Most residents were born in Australia. Most spoke only English at home. Common religions included Catholic No Religion and Anglican.
Bringelly boasts several heritage-listed sites.
The Bringelly area had a reputation for bushrangers. John Jack Donohoe known as The Wild Colonial Boy supposedly had hideouts here. He was shot dead by soldiers in Bringelly in 1830.
Bringelly Public School replaced the Church of England School in Cabramatta in 1878. The Council of Education bought George Strathfield’s house and land. Strathfield’s house became the school. By 1897 the building needed repair and a new one was built.
Bringelly Bush Fire Brigade began in 1939.
Bringelly was originally part of Nepean Shire Council. In 1948 the council dissolved. The area divided between Liverpool Penrith and Camden Councils. Liverpool Council supplied electricity to Bringelly in 1937.
There is a film connection here too. Parts of the film Hacksaw Ridge were filmed in Bringelly.
Today Bringelly is a blend of history and progress. It is a community with strong ties to its past. As Bringelly grows it remembers its unique story. Its colorful characters are always in mind.