Cockatoos. Imagine them flocking here once. This is Kirrawee. This southern Sydney suburb has a name linked to these sulphur-crested birds. The Dharawal word “gi(a)rrawee(i)” means “place of white cockatoos.” This is one possible origin of Kirrawee’s name.
Kirrawee officially adopted its name in 1939. This coincided with the opening of the Sutherland-Cronulla railway line. Before this, the area had another name. It was called Bladesville. This name came from Mrs Louisa Blade. She ran a postal receiving office from her home. It operated from 1909 to 1915.
Long before European settlement, the Dharawal people called this area home. They lived here for at least 8,500 years. Kirrawee was once part of Thomas Holt’s Sutherland Estate. People accessed it from Sutherland train station. A tramway opened in 1911. This improved access to Kirrawee. The brickworks also opened around this time.
After World War II, Kirrawee saw increased settlement. Many families resettled here in the 1950s. Land values soared in 1946. Blocks valued at thirty pounds sold for one hundred and forty. Others valued at sixty and sixty-four pounds went for one hundred and ninety-five and one hundred and sixty pounds respectively. By 1949, plans were underway for a primary school. The Department of Education accepted a tender to build it.
Some of Kirrawee’s street names remember figures from the Rum Rebellion. Bligh Street and Putland Close are named after Governor William Bligh and his daughter Mary Putland. Johnston Avenue commemorates George Bain Johnston. He was a First Fleet lieutenant. He arrested Governor Bligh. Kemp Avenue honours Anthony Fenn Kemp. He was a captain involved in Bligh’s arrest.
Kirrawee High School opened its doors in February 1966. That same year, the Housing Commission built low-cost homes in Kirrawee. Bushfires threatened Kirrawee in October 1968. Residents prepared to evacuate. Firefighters brought the fires under control.
Today, Kirrawee is a mix of commercial and residential areas. The train line divides the suburb. North of the line is mostly commercial and industrial. South of the line is mainly residential. The Royal National Park forms Kirrawee’s southern border.
The suburb has a small shopping village on Oak Road. It is next to the train station. The village includes food outlets, a newsagent, and other businesses. Murals around the shopping village and train station add character.
Kirrawee is also home to remnants of Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. This is a critically endangered ecological community. These patches of forest are important. They represent the original forest between Sutherland and Wooloware.
The Kirrawee Brick Pit is a notable site. It operated from 1912 to 1979. It later became a lagoon and wildlife habitat. The brick pit has been the focus of much debate. There have been many development proposals for the Kirrawee Brick Pit site.
Kirrawee railway station connects the suburb to Sydney’s CBD. It’s about a forty-minute train ride. The suburb also has several parks and sporting facilities. These include Kirrawee Oval and an off-leash dog park on Helena Street. Club Kirrawee offers lawn bowls.
Kirrawee Public School and Kirrawee High School serve the local community. Several churches are also located in Kirrawee. These include St. Mary, St. Bakhomious and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church.
Kirrawee. A suburb with a name possibly inspired by cockatoos. A place with a rich history and a vibrant community. A blend of industry, nature, and residential living. Its story continues to evolve.