The inner suburb of Croydon is located 10 km west of the Sydney central business district. The suburb is nestled between the commercial centres of Burwood and Ashfield, which basically overshadow Croydon. Before being settled by the English, this area was home to the Wangal clan of the Dharug Aboriginal people. One of their leaders, Bennelong, was a friend to the first governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip, and went with him to England. Sydney Opera House was built on Bennelong Point, named after Bennelong. I was told in grade school that Bennelong used to hang out down there. Maybe he enjoyed the classical music concerts of the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra.
When Croydon Station was first opened in 1875, it was called Five Dock Station, but the name was changed to Croydon 1876 (after the cicada ate Five Dock - LOL.). The main suburban railway line through Croydon was quadruplicated in 1892, and sextuplicated in 1927 in when the line was electrified. To most people, Croydon is known as a station where trains pass through without stopping. My sister and I used to walk from Burwood to the Croydon Swimming Pool past Croydon station without giving it a passing thought.
In 2012, electronic destination boards were installed, and Croydon finally entered the 20th century. If you are ever stuck in Croydon, you need to seriously question where your life is heading. read more