Blacktown (http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Home), one of Australia's most populous and progressive local government areas, has a colourful history. In 1823, the Native Institution (a school for Aboriginal children) was moved from Parramatta to the site where Richmond Road meets Rooty Hill Road North (this intersection is now in the suburbs of Oakhurst and Glendenning) which was named "The Blacks Town". The institution was then known as Black Town Native Institute and it was synonymous with the stolen generation. Although the institution closed in 1833, the road heading out to the internment camp became known as the Black Town Road. In 1860 the Railway Department gave the name of Black Town Road Station to the railway station at the junction of the railway and the Black Town Road, with the name shortening to Blacktown by 1862.Image
In 1906, the Shire of Blacktown was formed. Population reached around 13,000 in 1933. In the 1950s and 60s, there was a large amount of suburban development both in the current suburb of Blacktown and the new suburbs that sprung up around it. This led to civic development in the town centre with the hospital opening in 1965, the courthouse and police station in 1966, the library in 1967 and the TAFE college in 1969. In 1973, the Westpoint shopping centre opened which was soon followed by the cinema complex.
New facade of the Blacktown Hospital Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Blacktown Library Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Blacktown TAFE College Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Westpoint shopping centre Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
"Filipino Town"
In the early 70s, when Filipinos arrived in Sydney as a result of the abolition of the 'White Australia Policy', they would settle temporarily in Mascot area near the airport, then moved farther away from the airport to the Hurstville, Bankstown and Marrickville areas. And finally, many settled in the city of Blacktown where prices of property were considered affordable.
In the mid '80s, the most populous suburb or town of Sydney has been slowly converted into a "Filipino town" with one out of four Filipinos in Sydney decided to live in Blacktown. Filipinos became the biggest migrant group in the city and at least seven percent of the city population was of Filipino background.
First Filipino-Australian Councillor in Sydney
Politically, Blacktown is one of the most influential local government areas in both state and federal elections. In the state level, the city covers three electorates namely Blacktown, Prospects and Seven Hills. In the Federal division, it falls under four critical seats namely: Chifley, Greenway, Machmahon and Lindsay -- now all held by the Labor Party.
Despite the area being considered a Labor bailiwick, and the presence of Filipinos who are mostly supporters of Labor, the first and only Filipino-Australian councillor in the city is a high-ranking and influential Liberal party member. Jess Diaz has been a councilor of the city for many years.
In the September 2016 NSW Council elections, five of the 15 councillors elected are of Filipino background: Jess Diaz and son, Jaymes, Frederick Brillo and Linda Santos of the Liberal Party and Carol Israel of the Labor Party, reaffirming the notion that the Filipinos are well-entrenched in the political landscape of Blacktown.
Since couple of years ago, Blacktown has started to become a hub of Philippine arts, taking great attention is the city's participation in Bayanihan Philippine Arts Project, an art collaboration of Filipino-Australian artists putting on centre stage artworks of local Sydney and Manila-based artists and performers.
Six art galleries in NSW teamed up with the Philippine Consulate of Sydney, the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Tourism to bring the Filipino arts for the first time in the wider Australian community.
Blacktown Arts Centre
Blacktown Arts Centre () opened to the public in October 2002. In 2006 the centre underwent a multimillion-dollar refit and extension. The building reopened in April 2007 with facilities for performance, extended visual art galleries, workshop space and enhanced administrative areas. It is currently headed by a Filipino-Australian.
Blacktown Arts Centre Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Local communities, including Filipinos and islanders attended a weaving and basket-making workshop at the Blacktown Arts Centre Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
This is how Blacktown makes art and play music.
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This is how Blacktown makes art
Other landmarks
Blacktown City Council Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Blacktown Community Health Centre Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
22 Main Street Building which house the Australia Post, NSW Department of Education and Community, and the NSW Services Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Salvation Army Blacktown Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Blacktown Workers Club Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Bowman Hall Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
As a major Filipino neighbourhood, Blacktown City is home to many Filipino-Australian owned establishments. There are restaurants, bakeries, travel agencies, groceries, Filipino centre, law firms and many more.
The Philippine Australian Community Services, Inc (), an independent community-based organization that works for the rights and welfare of the Filipino migrants in Australia, has its main office in Blacktown.
Filipino Cuisine has been doing business in Blacktown in the last 14 years. And its owner Grace Cabellon has this to say about Blacktown.
Filipino-owned establishments in Blacktown Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
Filipino-owned take away Filipino Cuisine Source: SBS Filipino / A. Violata
