Homebush, New South Wales

Homebush  is an inner western suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Homebush is located 15 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Strathfield. Homebush West and Homebush Bay are separate suburbs. Homebush is located south of Homebush Bay, an inlet of the Parramatta River.

History
Homebush was established in the 1800s by the colony's then assistant surgeon D'arcy Wentworth. According to local government historian Michael Jones, "Wentworth is popularly credited with having called the area after his 'home in the bush', although Homebush is also a place in Kent." A more logical origin of the name is to be found in the history of droving cattle and sheep to Sydney's major saleyards, which were located at what is now Flemington markets, also known as Homebush West. Drovers would camp in what was then a pastured terrain at the end of their long journey through 'the bush' and may thus have adopted the name 'home bush'.

Transport
Homebush railway station is on the Inner West line and South line of the CityRail network. Parramatta Road and the M4 Western Motorway are the main arterial roads passing through the suburb.

Commercial area
Homebush has a small row of shops along Rochester Street, opposite Homebush Public School. These shops extend to The Crescent, opposite Homebush railway station. Many more commercial developments are located along Parramatta Road.

Schools

 * Homebush Public School - Government primary school.


 * Homebush Boys High School - Government high school.


 * Pre-Uni New College High School - private coaching college.

Population
According to the 2001 census, the population of the local government area including Homebush is 28,206. There were 13,862 men and 14,344 women. Only 31.9% of the population are Australian born with the remainder being born in India(8.9%), Sri Lanka(8.5%), China(8.5%), Korea(8.3%) and Vietnam(2.1%). Other than English, Tamil(11.5%) was the most common spoken language at the 2006 ABS Census

Religion
Catholicism was the most commonly practiced religion (23.2%) followed by Hinduism (17.8%)

Notable residents
Thomas Keneally, author of books such as 'Schindler's Ark (known in some countries as Schindler's List)', 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith,' and 'The Great Shame,' is an alumnus of St Patrick's College, Strathfield, and grew up in Homebush on the northern side of the railway line.