Bardon is a western suburb of the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located approximately 5.7 kilometres (3.5 mi) north-west of the Brisbane CBD. Bardon is a leafy residential suburb, much of which nestles into the foothills of Mount Coot-tha. It includes the neighbourhood of Rainworth. In the 2021 census, Bardon had a population of 10,153 people.
The suburb of Bardon was originally known as 'Upper Paddington', until it was defined then renamed by the Ithaca Town Council in 1925 after "Bardon", the villa built by Joshua Jeays in 1863 and named for Bardon Hill in his native Leicestershire, England. The house now forms part of the campus of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, The Drive, Bardon.
Ithaca Creek State School opened on 28 September 1885 under headmaster Robert Berry. The school had been built with an expectation of 50 students, but by the end of 1885 had 188 students in a single 6-by-15-metre (20 by 49 ft) classroom.
In 1887, the Jubilee Township Estate was subdivided in the north-east of present-day Bardon.
St Bartholomew's Anglican church at 14 Simpsons Road (27°27′31″S 152°59′08″E / 27.458480°S 152.985510°E) was dedicated on 26 August 1923 by Canon Garland. Its last service was held on 12 September 1985.
In June 1927, 25 allotments of "Wathana Estate" Upper Paddington were advertised to be auctioned by Isle, Love & Co. A map advertising the auction described the sites as "High and healthy with magnificent views" as well as being only six minutes from the Paddington Tram Terminus.
Rainworth State School opened on 2 July 1928 with a timber building with eight classrooms (still in use).
The tram service was extended to Rainworth in 1930 with the Rainworth tram terminus outside the school (27°27′59″S 152°59′04″E / 27.4665°S 152.9845°E).
In June 1929, 42 allotments of "Laurel Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by T. Ozanne & Co. A map advertising the auction states that the estate was handy to state and covent schools and that electric light, gas and water were available at the sites.
In January 1937, the tram service was extended to Bardon with the Bardon tram terminus on the junction of Simpsons Road and Morgan Terrace (27°27′33″S 152°58′33″E / 27.4593°S 152.9759°E).
In 1937, St Mary's Magdalene Anglican Church was built an 80 Boundary Road, Rainworth (27°27′54″S 152°58′58″E / 27.4650°S 152.9827°E), and dedicated by Archbishop William Wand on Sunday 15 August 1937. In 1964 a new St Mary's Magdalene Anglican Church was built on the same site with the 1937 church becoming the church hall. The new St Mary Magdalene's was dedicated by Archbishop Administrator John Hudson. The church closed circa 2010 due to a decline in attendance and was approved by Archbishop Philip Aspinall. The church and hall were sold in November 2011 for $805,000. Since 2012 the building has been operated by non-for-profit Magda Community Artz as a local venue for artistic pursuits, known as Magda's.
St Joseph's Catholic School was established by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Australia
on 24 January 1938 with 31 students in one class. The Sisters were living in Bardon House. Initially, the school was conducted in the parish church (still in use as a school building). A new school building was constructed at a cost of £507 provided by an anonymous benefactor; it was officially opened by Archbishop James Duhig on Sunday 29 January 1939.
Bardon Infants School opened on 27 January 1948, becoming Bardon State School in 1958.
Brisbane's tram network was shut down on Sunday 13 April 1969. Some heritage-listed tram waiting sheds remain include one opposite 136 Boundary Road.
St Mary's Anglican Church in West Bardon was dedicated in 1962 and consecrated in 1975.
In the 2011 census, Bardon recorded a population of 9,256 people, 52.8% female and 47.2% male. The median age of the Bardon population was 36 years of age, 1 year below the Australian median. 79.7% of people living in Bardon were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 4.5%, New Zealand 2.6%, United States of America 0.9%, South Africa 0.8%, Scotland 0.7%. 90.7% of people spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 0.8% Italian, 0.6% German, 0.6% French, 0.5% Spanish, 0.4% Dutch.
In the 2016 census, Bardon had a population of 9,500 people.
In the 2021 census, Bardon had a population of 10,153 people.
History info courtesy of Wikipedia
