Killara

Killara (Template:IPAc-en) is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Killara is located Template:Convert north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. East Killara is a separate suburb and West Killara is a locality within Killara.

History

Killara is an Aboriginal word meaning permanent or always there.<ref name = "The Book of Sydney Suburbs">The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled by Frances Pollon, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia Template:ISBN, page 136</ref> The name of the suburb was chosen when the railway line opened in 1899. James George Edwards was a representative of the people who requested a station be built here. The suburb was established as a "Gentlemen's suburb", designed so that there would be no commercial ventures in the area. For this reason, the suburb has very few shops in the original development.<ref name = "The Book of Sydney Suburbs"/>

Killara Post Office opened on 7 November 1904.<ref name = "Post Office">Template:Cite web</ref>

Following World War I, Sydney experienced significant suburban expansion. Killara, previously a semi-rural area, began to develop more as a residential suburb during the interwar years. The suburb became gradually popular with middle and upper-middle-class families seeking a peaceful environment away from the bustling city. In the 1920s and 1930s, property development increased, as did the construction of grand homes in styles of Federation and California Bungalow, reflecting the growing affluence of the period. Killara's picturesque setting, for its proximity to national parks and relatively large plots of land, made it a pleasant location for those seeking an affluent, suburban lifestyle.Template:Cn

Killara later became the home of the architect Harry Seidler, whose home—designed by him and his wife Penelope in the 1960s—can still be seen in Kalang Avenue. It is sometimes known as Killara House and sometimes as Harry and Penelope Seidler House. The couple moved into the house on Harry Seidler's birthday in 1967. The garden contains a sculpture by the Los Angeles sculptor Eric Orr. The house is heritage-listed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Marian Street Theatre played a significant role in the cultural life of the North Shore. The theatre is temporarily closed for renovation works since 2013, and a proposal was passed by the local council to redevelop the site into a multipurpose arts and cultural facility.<ref name=dictionary>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Heritage listings

Killara has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• 13 Kalang Avenue: Harry and Penelope Seidler House<ref name=nswshr-1793>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>
• 1 Werona Avenue: Woodlands, Killara<ref name=nswshr-1762>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>

Transport

Killara is home to a train station that connects to the T1 and T9 lines for routes to Berowra via Gordon, City via Gordon on the T1 or routes through North Shore via City on the T9.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Pacific Highway is the main road thoroughfare through Killara.

CDC NSW operates two bus routes through Killara:

• 556: Lindfield to East Killara<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• 565: Chatswood to Macquarie University via Roseville, Lindfield and Macquarie Park<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Development

The Swain Gardens were donated to Ku-ring-gai Council by Mr Swain, a Sydney bookseller, in the 1920s, and are today maintained by the council and volunteers. The gardens have been listed by the National Trust of Australia.Template:Cn

Schools

Killara is served by two public primary schools, Killara Public School and Beaumont Road Public School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The suburb is also home to Killara High School, one of the highest performing non-selective government secondary school in New South Wales.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A short-lived private school in Killara, Abbotsholme College, counted two future prime ministersTemplate:Which among its pupils.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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Killara is also home to some child care centres, including Handprints Pre School and Child Care.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Churches

Churches in the suburb include St Martin's Anglican Church and Killara Uniting Church (formerly Killara Congregational Church) on Karranga Avenue.Template:Citation needed

Clubs

Killara has recreational sport centres including Killara lawn tennis club<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Killara golf club,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which is ranked in the top 100 golf courses in Australia and picturesque views to the Blue Mountains has attracted golfers.

Commercial

Commercial developments are located along the Pacific Highway, including the Greengate Hotel,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Beacon Lighting, Poolwerx, and Killara hotel. Residents usually travel to nearby suburbs of Gordon, Macquarie Park and Chatswood for regular shopping.

Residential style

The majority of residential properties are built in the Federation and Californian Bungalow styles, although the suburb includes many other styles.

The Harry and Penelope Seidler House at 13 Kalang Avenue was designed by Harry and Penelope Seidler. The 1960s-era modern-design home, constructed with reinforced masonry walls, concrete floors and roof, rubble-stone retaining walls and fireplace, won the Wilkinson Award in 1967.

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Politics

For federal elections, Killara lies in the electorate of Bradfield, currently represented by Nicolette Boele. For state elections, Killara falls under the state electoral district of Davidson. The member for Davidson is Matt Cross. In terms of local government, Killara is part of the Ku-ring-gai municipal council.

Demographics

File:Rosetta Avenue, Killara, New South Wales (2011-04-02).jpg

Rosetta Avenue

In the 2021 Australian census, the total population of Killara was 10,620 people; 48.1 percent were male and 51.9 percent were female. 50.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were China 13.8%, England 4.3%, Hong Kong 4.0%, South Korea 2.7% and India 2.2%. 56.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 17.3%, Cantonese 7.8%, Korean 3.4%, Hindi 1.1%, and Japanese 1.0%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 43.4%, Catholic 15.4% and Anglican 12.5%, Of persons aged 15 years and over, 57.4% were married, 29.0% never married, 5.5% widowed, 6.2% divorced, and 1.8% separated.<ref name=ABS />

The median weekly personal income was $1,117, compared with $805 nationally. The median weekly household income was $2,802, compared with $1,746 nationally. The median weekly family income was $3,294, compared with $2,120 nationally.<ref name=ABS />

At the 2021 census, 54.7% of occupied private dwellings were separate houses and 42.6% were flat or apartments. The average household size was 2.8 people.<ref name=ABS />

Notable residents

• John Alexander OAM MP- Tennis champion and former Federal Member for Bennelong
• Robert Alan Crook – electrical engineer, owner of Alan Crook Electrical manufacturers
• Kim Gamble – children's book illustrator and artist
• Carlyle Greenwell – Architect, philanthropist and designer of Killara Uniting Church and many, now heritage listed, houses<ref>21 Lorne Avenue, Killara State Heritage Register</ref><ref>5 Locksley Avenue, Killara State Heritage Register</ref><ref>8 Nyora Street, Killara State Heritage Register</ref><ref>7.4 Woodlands 1 Werona Avenue Killara Heritage Council of NSW Meeting 7 June 2006 page 6</ref>
• Peter Jackson – boxer, British Commonwealth and Heavyweight champion
• David Koch, an Australian financial analyst, television presenter and host of Sunrise on the Seven Network
• Elle Macpherson – grew up in Killara and also attended the local high school, Killara High School
• Harry Messel – head of the School of Physics at Sydney University, Australian Atomic Energy Commission (1975-1981), Chancellor of Bond University (1992-1997)
• Charles Scrivener – surveyor
• Penelope Seidler – architect
• Ethel Turner – author of Seven Little Australians, lived on a large property now known as Kiamala Crescent

External links

• Template:Cite web [CC-By-SA]
• Template:Cite web

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