Ever wonder why Homebush West is sometimes called Flemington? Officially, this area has been known as Homebush West since 1992. But its story stretches back much further. Let’s uncover some secrets of Homebush West.
Once upon a time in 1806, John Fleming was granted 200 acres here. This is how the area became known as Flemington. Interestingly, even today many locals still call it Flemington. You might even hear them affectionately call themselves “Flemos”. The name Flemington is commonly used.
The story of Homebush West is one of changing names and evolving identities. Before Fleming, this area was loosely called Liberty Plains. These lands were granted to the first free settlers. The Parish of Liberty Plains still exists. It is a cadastral unit for land titles.
Now, let’s talk about the layout of Homebush West. The part south of the railway lines was subdivided in 1882. This followed a grid pattern. The streets were named after places in southern England. Think of Richmond, Henley and Exeter Roads.
In the early 1970s, something significant happened. The Sydney Markets moved here. They relocated from Haymarket to Flemington. This led to the area becoming known as Flemington Markets. These markets built in 1975 brought many changes.
Did you know that the Chinese community has deep roots here? They were heavily involved in market gardening and the fruit trade. When the markets moved to Flemington, so did a large Chinese population. This also coincided with Vietnamese migration in the 1970s. Homebush West gained a cosmopolitan vibe with Chinese and Vietnamese influences. It retains this flavour today.
Homebush West is divided into distinct areas. The railway, the A3 road, Parramatta Road and the M4 motorway all play a part. Each section has its own unique character.
The original residential part south of the railway is the Flemington village centre. Here, you will find a cluster of shops. These are located on The Crescent and Henley Road.
The Flemington Markets take up a large area. They lie north of the railway and south of Parramatta Road. Sydney Markets Plaza serves this area. It offers banks and a supermarket.
West of the markets once stood a Ford factory. It operated from 1935 to 1994. Housing around the factory was originally built for Ford employees.
Homebush West is home to diverse places of worship. You can find St Dominic’s Catholic Church, St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and Sri Karphaga Vinayakar Hindu Temple here.
Today, Homebush West is a vibrant suburb. Its population reflects its diverse heritage. In 2021, the most common ancestries reported were Chinese, Indian and Nepalese.
Homebush West has seen many changes. From its early days as Flemington to its current form, it has a rich history. Next time you are here, remember the layers of stories beneath your feet. You are walking through a place shaped by settlers, markets and migrants.