OVERVIEW
About Georges River History The traditional owners of the area now known as the Georges River are the Biddegal people of the Eora Nation, who have lived on this land for more than 40,000 years. European settlement in the area in 1788 led to dramatic change for the Aboriginal community. The first land grant was assigned in 1804, with Hannah Laycock and her family receiving 700 acres. In 1808, Captain John Townson was granted 1,950 acres of land, comprising the present-day suburb of Hurstville and part of Bexley. His brother Robert Townson was granted the land which now comprises Penshurst, Mortdale, and parts of Peakhurst. European settlement was the catalyst for significant changes to the natural landscape, which was rich in natural resources, such as lime and timber.
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Georges River Council // Annual Report 2019/20
Communities began to work in areas including limeburning, timber-getting, oyster-farming, ship-building, and brickworks. Further transformation of the Georges River area took place in 1850, when Michael Gannon purchased land and subdivided it into small farms along what is now Croydon Road. Three larger farms were purchased by Messrs Dent, Peake, and Ibbotson, and the area became known as Gannons Forest. When a local school was established in 1876, it was named "Hurstville", and in 1884, the new railway station took the same name. The establishment of the Illawarra Railway line saw the landscape shift from rural to an environment featuring cottages and roads, and residents opted for trades over agricultural work.
