Harris Park, New South Wales

Harris Park Greater Western Sydney,New South Wales
Kenilworth,Holy Spirit Seminary, Diocese of Parramatta
Population	5,043 (2021 census)
• Density	7,880/km2(20,410/sq mi)
Established	1791
Postcode(s)	2150
Elevation	20 m (66 ft)
Area	0.64 km2(0.2 sq mi)
Location	19 km (12 mi) west ofSydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Parramatta
State electorate(s)	Parramatta
Federal division(s)	Parramatta
Suburbs around Harris Park: Westmead Parramatta Camellia Parramatta Harris Park Rosehill Holroyd Granville Clyde

Harris Parkis asuburbofGreater Western Sydney,in the state ofNew South Wales,Australia.Harris Park is located 19 kilometres west of theSydney central business districtin thelocal government areaof theCity of Parramattaand is part of theGreater Western Sydneyregion. Harris Park has a plurality of Indian and Hindu population, both making up the largest ethnic and religious group.

Harris Park is the home of several historic sites, includingExperiment Farm.

History

James Rusewas the first convict to be granted land in the colony, by GovernorArthur Phillipin this area in 1791. He developed Australia's first private farm, known asExperiment Farm,which sowed the first wheat in Australia. SurgeonJohn Harris,who had already received land grants in the area in 1793 and 1805, bought the farm and built a cottage on the site in c1795. Harris Park is named after John Harris.The cottage is heritage-listed and open to the public.

John MacarthurbuiltElizabeth Farmin 1793. The building changed and grew substantially over the years, and the architectJohn Vergeis thought to have worked on it from around the late 1820s to the late 1830s. It now falls within theRosehillarea and is heritage-listed.

Macarthur builtHambledon Cottagein the early 1820s for Penelope Lucas, the governess for his children. The main wing was designed by Henry Kitchen and the house was used for vice-regal guests until 1883. It is heritage-listed.Penelope Lucas is now remembered in Penelope Lucas Lane, in Rosehill.

In the 1880s, Arthur Latimer McCredie, an architect and alderman in Parramatta Council, built his mansion,Kenilworth,in Allen Street. It was a two-storey building in VictorianItalianatestyle and served as his home for most of the remainder of his life. Though his will expressly forbade the property being conveyed to Catholics, it was acquired on his death by the Sisters of Mercy, who ran it as the Convent of Mercy from 1927 to 1998. It then became the Australian International Performing Arts High School. In 2013 it was converted into the new home of Holy Spirit Seminary, the seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta.Kenilworthis heritage-listed.

Heritage listings

Harris Park has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• 47 Hassall Street:Hambledon Cottage
• Robin Thomas Reserve:Parramatta Sand Body Conservation Area and Military Barracks Site
• 9 Ruse Street:Experiment Farm Cottage

Commercial area and transport

Harris Park has a small shopping area around Marion Street. It is very close to the major commercial centre ofParramatta.Harris Park railway stationis on theMain Western railway line.

Churches

• Our Lady of LebanonMaronite Churchwas officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Abdo Khalifé on 6 August 1978; it was elevated to the status ofco-cathedralon 11 October 2014.The school was opened on 10 December 1972.
• St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church, located on Hassall Street, is one of the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
• Holy Spirit Seminary, the seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, was moved from its former site in St Marys to Harris Park's historic houseKenilworthin 2013. It was opened and blessed by Most Rev Bishop Anthony Fisher, OP the 3rd bishop of Parramatta (2010-2014) on Trinity Sunday, 26 May 2013. Next door is the church of StOliver Plunkettand St Oliver's Primary School. The rector of the seminary is Very Rev Fr John Hogan and the vice-rector is Very Rev Fr Christopher de Souza VG EV PP who is also a vicar-general and the parish priest at the St Oliver Plunkett Parish.

Population

In the2016 censusthere were 5,799 residents in Harris Park. 54.2% were males and 45.8% were females. Only 19.1% of people were born in Australia. The top other countries of birth were India 45.4%, Nepal 5.9%, China 4.2%, Lebanon 2.8% and Philippines 2.3%. The most commonly reported ancestries were Indian 34.9%, English 8.4%, Chinese 7.6%, Nepalese 5.8% and Australian 5.8%. 18.0% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Gujarati 15.1%, Hindi 11.6%, Punjabi 6.4%, Nepali 5.7% and Telugu 5.6%. The top responses for religious affiliation were Hinduism 46.9%, Catholic 12.7%, no religion 10.9% and Islam 6.1%.

In the2016 censusthere were 5,799 residents in Harris Park. 53.6% were males and 46.4% were females. Only 18.9% of people were born in Australia. The top other countries of birth were India 46.4%, China 5.1%, Lebanon 2.9%, Philippines 1.9% and Afghanistan 1.2%. The most common reported ancestries were Indian 39.4%, English 7.2%, Chinese 6.7%, Australian 5.6% and Lebanese 4.5%. 15.4% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Gujarati 18.7%, Hindi 11.7%, Punjabi 5.9%, Arabic 5.1% and Telugu 4.8%. The top responses for religious affiliation were Hinduism 44.8%, Catholic 12.2%, no religion 9.7% and Islam 6.5%.

In the2011 censusthere were 5,072 residents in Harris Park. 53.6% were males and 46.4% were females. Only 21.8% of people were born in Australia. The top other countries of birth were India 39.9%, China 4.7%, Lebanon 3.3%, Afghanistan 2.3% and Philippines 2.2%. The most common reported ancestries were Indian 34.1%, English 7.7%, Chinese 6.7%, Australian 5.6% and Lebanese 5.3%. The majority of people spoke a language other than English at home, with the most common languages spoken being Gujarati 20.4%, Hindi 8.3%, Punjabi 6.5%, Arabic 6.3% and Mandarin 3.3%. The top responses for religious affiliation were Hinduism 37.0%, Catholic 15.1%, Islam 9.9% and no religion 8.6%.

Gallery

• 
  Elizabeth Farm
• 
  Experiment Farm Cottage
• 
  Hambledon Cottage
• 
  Our Lady of Lebanon Church
• 
  Our Lady of Lebanon Church interior
• 
  St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church

External links

• "Harris Park".Dictionary of Sydney.2008.Retrieved27 September2015.[CC-By-SA]
• Australian Bureau of Statistics(9 March 2006)."Harris Park (State Suburb)".2001 Census QuickStats.Retrieved30 June2007.