Early residents

The earliest residents of Cabramatta (or ‘Cabrogal’) were indigenous Aboriginals. The Cabrogal tribe of the Darug people inhabited an area larger than today’s boundaries of Cabramatta.

Governor Arthur Phillip first visited in 1788 on a ship surveying the waterways.

1790 William Dawes transcribes the name as ‘Car-rar-mattar’.

Early 1800, a military record shows the name ‘Gabramatta’ (not unlike the way my Chinese grandmother pronounces Cabramatta!).

26th Sept 1856, Railway is officially opened to the public. The Cabramatta Railway Station was monumental in bringing in trade and people to the area. Cabramatta Station is a gateway to two important places; Bathurst for gold mining and Goulburn for wool. Today Cabramatta Station is undergoing one of it’s largest upgrades to date.

1830s Many people arrived after the gold rush. Researching was difficult as historic records rarely spoke of foreigners. There were mention of two people during this period; a Polish Jewish man by the name of Henry Zions (a tailor) and a German man called Benjamin Stein (a winegrower).

1870 Significant numbers of Chinese arrive post gold rush. They mostly became market gardens growers and went on to own businesses , namely Yip Kee and Hop Sing.

1878 Fruit farming boomed. As a product of this good success ‘The ‘Cumberland Fruit Growers Association’ was founded. As a secondary effect, a group known as ‘Flying-Fox Destroying Association’ is formed. These flying mammals caused a great deal of damage to precious crops.

Ironically, they are actively protected today, so instead of pitch fork welding farmers, the only threats are power lines and extremely hot summer days. Please see my posts on witnessing an exodus of the local flying foxes.

1880-1919 Immigration of Germans, Italians, Maltese, Croatians and Serbians. For a while, there was a constant flow of European immigrants until World War I occurred and Australia stopped all immigration.

1920 A steady increase of more Italians as the migration tightens in the United States.

Post World War II

For a short while after the second WW, foreigners were not migrants of choice so…

1946 The Australian government becomes obsessed with increasing the population. Project make more babies!…no it wasn’t called that…well no officially. In an attempt to increase the white Australian population, we lured Scottish and northern Irish citizens over. Many lived in the new migrant hostels.

There were two, Villawood or Cabramatta Migrant Hostel. In the 1950-60s migrants were housed in corrugated iron huts called ‘Nissen Huts’ that were previously used by the army. Each hut contained 6 rooms and were typically occupied by 2 families. These hostels have since been closed.

1950 population booms. In Fairfield alone with a population of 10,000 in 1940, it grew to 60,000 in 1960. That’s 600% growth!!! Good job!

1956 the German Austrian Club is formed. Its a place where people can go to dance and talk to others. This club is still very active. The distinct white and brown architecture is visible from the railway. The annual Oktoberfest held over 4 days attracts thousands of visitor from all around sydney and abroad!

1959 Cabramatta becomes home to Woolworth’s pioneer “Space Age” design store = the supermarket. This Woolworths is still in full operation.

1960s Post war ‘displaced persons’ Ukrainians, Croatians, British Isles and Hungarians arrive.

1970s South Americans: mostly from Chile (escaping General Augustos Pinochet’s political dictatorship) and Argentina.

1973 The new Federal Labor government  removes immigration restriction policies and opens its doors to ‘non traditional countries’ (aka non white countries). We expand our immigration to include war refugees of Arabic origin (mostly Turkish and Lebanese) and those of  Asian origin (Vietnamese and Cambodians).

1975-76 The Indo-Chinese refugees arrive. That is, Vietnamese war refugees from camps in Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.  Many are chinese-vietnamese business people who fled Vietnam, as they believed they would be targeted by the new communist party.

1975-1982 Immigrants from Laos and Kampuchea.

1978 Immigrants from Lebanon arrive.

1980 The first Buddhist temples are built

1970-1999 Immigrants from East Timor arrive.

1980 Immigrants from Filipinos arrive.

1986-1991 China born Chinese arrive post Tiannamen Square incident.

1990 Immigrants from former Yugoslavia. Many settle here as the Serbian and Croatian community is already well established.

1990 Immigrants from African countries; Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia arrive.

1990’s Heroin arrives. Everything turns to poo. The reputation has remained despite the low crime rates.

2000’s Who are you?