Bass Hill

How did Bass Hill get its name? It’s a story tied to George Bass a surgeon and explorer. He received land here in 1798. He arrived in 1795 on HMS Reliance. He befriended Matthew Flinders. Together they explored Botany Bay and the Georges River. They sailed further than any expedition before. They reached present-day Georges Hall. For their efforts Governor Hunter rewarded them with land grants. This area became known as Bass Hill in October 1924. Before that it was called Irish Town due to Irish settlements. It was also known as Upper Bankstown. Bass Hill’s history is rich. It saw rapid development after Liverpool Road’s completion in 1814. During World War II a small RAAF transmitting station operated here. It was located on the corner of Manuka Crescent and Johnston Road. This station worked with the Bankstown Bunker and a receiving station in Picnic Point. Bass Hill has evolved. It boasts Bass Hill Plaza a large shopping center. A Skyline drive-in cinema once stood there. Now housing occupies the site. The Bass Hill RSL club opened in 1964 and closed in 2019. Three schools serve the community. Bass Hill Public School George Bass School and Bass High School. Sporting fields cater to various sports. The Crest complex even hosted 2000 Olympics track cycling events. It’s a place of history sport and community. Today Bass Hill thrives a blend of old and new. Its past is palpable. Its future is bright. This is Bass Hill a place where history and community intertwine.