Davidson, New South Wales

Davidson is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Davidson is located 20 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Warringah Council. Davidson is considered to be part of the Forest District, colloquially known as The Forest, which is part of the Northern Beaches area of Sydney. It is known to be the smallest suburb of the Northern beaches, while also being isolated, quiet, and primary known as a residential area with beautiful parks, bush walks and views of the city.

Location

Davidson is adjacent to Belrose and Frenchs Forest and is located on the eastern edge of the Garigal National Park. Davidson is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the Sydney CBD.

Davidson comprises part of the "Forest" area, which also encompasses the suburbs of Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Forestville and Killarney Heights. The Forest forms part of the Warringah Council jurisdiction, which encompasses a large part of the Northern Beaches area of Sydney.

History

Davidson was named for Sir Walter Davidson, Governor of New South Wales from 18 February 1918 to 4 September 1923. A park was dedicated in his honour in this area in 1923 and the developing suburb later took this name.^[2] Davidson began life as a mining quarry, with residential developments not beginning until the late 1970s.

The area faced a significant threat in January 1994 when bushfires in the Garigal National Park came dangerously close to the suburb. These fires were suppressed by the brigades of the Warringah/Pittwater Rural Fire Service from entering the Davidson Valley System.^[3][4]

Geography

Davidson features uneven topography,^[5] in large part due to the area’s origins as a mining quarry,^[6] as well as its proximity to Garigal National Park.^[7] Steep descents are evident in Stone Parade, Borgnis Street and Maitland Street, whereas more undulatory landscapes can be seen along parts of Prahran Avenue and Kambora Avenue.

The Eucalyptus trees and Liquid Ambers that line the streets of Davidson provide a pleasant backdrop for those living in the suburb. They also provide a haven for large numbers of native birds such as Kookaburras, Galahs and Rainbow Lorrikeets.^[8]

Parks

Davidson has many parks. The suburb adjoins Garigal and Kur-ing-gai Chase National Parks and in addition, has numerous other reserves suitable for picnics, ambling and quiet moments of reflection. These include McFarlane Reserve, Maitland Street Reserve, Aranda Place Reserve and Richard Healy Oval, to name but a few.

Education

Davidson is home to two primary schools. Kambora Public School, located on Kambora Avenue and St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School, also located on Kambora Avenue (although its address is Prahran Avenue and its main entrance is in that avenue). Davidson High School is named for the suburb, however the school campus is actually in nearby Frenchs Forest, on Blackbutts Road.

Commercial and Fire Brigade

A shopping complex on the corner of Yindela Street and Pound Avenue contains a small number of commercial premises, including a popular café, a hairdressers salon and a sports injury clinic. The complex also contains the only apartment accommodation in the suburb.

Davidson is also home to the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade since the station relocated from Cannons Parade Forestville in 1976. The Station has approximately 50 members, including current Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (now casual), and is one of 13 Brigades in the Warringah/Pittwater District of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

On 2 October 2013 a large bush fire swept through the national park in the area behind Maitland Street and Cambage Court, Frenchs Forest, threatening many homes. Ultimately, the fire was contained without any loss of property.[9]

Population

At the 2011 census, there were 2,417 residents in Davidson. The most common ancestries in Davidson were English 32.7%, Australian 26.8%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 7.1% and German 2.7%. The median weekly household income in Davidson was $2,403, almost double the national median of $1,234. In Davidson, the majority of the dwellings are separate houses (98.3%), with a total of just 13 properties that were semi-detached or units.^[1]

Notable residents

• Michael Hutchence (Former frontman of the Australian band INXS)
• Matt Shirvington - Olympic athlete, sprinter and television news presenter
• Peter Hardcastle (Olympic level athlete, rowing, three time Olympian 2000, 2004 & 2008)
• Robert Lee Mythbusters narrator

Culture

Davidson garners attention each December for its residents' enthusiastic display of Christmas lights. The "Davidson Lights" draw families from all over Sydney. Borgnis Street provides the centre of the nightly celebrations in the lead-up to Christmas,^{[9][10][11][12]} however the festive spirit is spread widely throughout the suburb with residents of Stone Parade and its various cul-de-sacs also actively participating.

Davidson also in the past has drawn attention to the lower regions of the suburb, after many residents in Mathews Street and adjoining Govett Place participated in decorating their houses for Halloween. However, recently these activities have dwindled due to drawing troublesome minor groups.

Transport

Davidson's mode of public transport is solely operated by bus services operated by Forest Coach Lines. The bus routes go throughout the suburb regulalry with routes straight to the City and Chatswood, while residents who want to go Manly can do so by catching any bus that would take them to Forestway, where they can get a transfer.

References