Our Heritage

The Heritage Collection includes information about Fairfield City local government area, past and present. The collection is held at the Fairfield City Heritage Centre at Whitlam Library Cabramatta and includes:

• books
• reports
• photographs
• maps 

Newspapers are a rich source of genealogical and historical information. Fairfield City Open Libraries provides online access to this newspaper content. You can access historical newspaper content here and access current newspaper content here.

Fairfield City's history has been captured in a range of publications that explore everyday life, faith and cultural diversity within Fairfield.

All Heritage publications are available online or from Whitlam Library Cabramatta.

A Journey In Time: A History Of St Johns Park and Its People by Vicki Movizio

Published in 2015, this book documents the history of St Johns Park suburb from the early 1800s when land grants were given to encourage settlers. The area developed into a farming community with a high percentage of migrants operating vineyards, market gardens and poultry farms.

Shaping Fairfield: The Aldermen of Fairfield and Cabra-vale Council, 1889–1948 by Beverley Donald

Published in 2013, this book traces the history of the Councils that amalgamated in 1948 to form the current Fairfield City Council.

Cabrogal to Fairfield City: A History of a Multicultural Community by Stephen Gapps

Published in 2010, Cabrogal to Fairfield City explores the history of the Fairfield district and includes the Aboriginal history of the area before European settlement.

Foundations of Faith: Christian Churches in the Fairfield Area by Beverley Donald

Published in 2005, Foundations of Faith delves into the history of the Christian church in Fairfield since the early 19th century.

For any queries related to the Fairfield LGA and Cabramatta, check out our 2017.id Report(PDF, 2MB) and 2019 Fairfield City Profile(PDF, 4MB). Click here for further research information and statistics.

For assistance in researching your family's history contact the Liverpool Regional Family History Centre whose friendly volunteers will point you to relevant resources.

Discover your past with Ancestry Online. Access the Ancestry Online database via the State Library of NSW with your library card number.

New South Wales State Archives and Records is rich in historical records including convict records, court records, deceased estate files, Indigenous resources and school records. They also provide Ask an Archivist services.

For military information the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives of Australia provide service personnel records, memorials and research assistance.

The State Heritage Inventory is a list of heritage items in New South Wales including Aboriginal Places, State Heritage Register, Interim Heritage Orders, State Agency Heritage Registers and Local Environmental Plans.

Fairfield City Council invites groups interested in exploring the vibrant, colourful and buzzing town centre of Cabramatta to contact us to book one of our Cultural Tours.

Content of Cultural Tour:

• 5 minute DVD: The Life and Times of Fairfield City
• Half hour presentation and tours are delivered independent of each other 

To discover the rich cultural heritage of Fairfield City, please get in touch with the Heritage Team to book your session: culturaltours@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Fairfield City Heritage Centre welcomes donations of local photographs, family history journals/accounts and other ephemera. If you have materials relating to the local families, business or community groups that have contributed to the marking of Fairfield City, please contact the Heritage Team for additional information.

Email: heritage@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 9725 0372