Bankstown Central shopping centre celebrates 50th birthday

There are few shopping centres that have seen its community change so much as Bankstown Central. In the 50 years since Lady Cutler cut the ribbon, the region has changed from a post-war settlement to one of Australia’s most multicultural areas.

Bankstown Central's centre court as it appeared in 1966, the year the centre opened. Picture: State Library of NSW

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There are few shopping centres in Australia that have seen its community change so much.

In the 50 years since Lady Cutler, the wife of a former NSW governor, cut the ribbon on the then Bankstown Square, the region has changed from a post-war settlement to one of Australia’s most multicultural areas.

The centre was Australia’s largest shopping precinct and more than 100,000 people attended its opening on September 21, 1966.

Residents at the grand opening of f Bankstown Central shopping centre (then Bankstown Square) on September 21, 1966, including Shirley Bongers, third from left, with her daughter Susan and son Phillip. Picture supplied by Shirley Bongers

Then, Bankstown Square had two major department stores, David Jones and Big W, and about 100 shops, along with parking for 2900 vehicles.

After changing management several times – and its name – Bankstown Central has more than 320 speciality stores and more than 15.2 million visitors a year.

The centre has undergone a huge transformation.

In the mid-2000s it underwent several major extensions that added a combined 26,000sq m to the complex.

Bankstown Central shopping centre food court in 2016.

As of the last census, Bankstown had become a multicultural epicentre of Australia, with 60 languages spoken and 61.8 per cent of its resident not born in Australia.

Centre manager Anthony Wilson said the shopping centre had “grown and flourished”, much like the Bankstown community.

Models on the catwalk during a fashion parade at Bankstown Central last year. Picture: Carmela Roche

A 50th birthday celebration, including a free morning tea and cake cutting, will be held on Thursday at 10am, with free activities for children from 1pm-2pm and 4pm-7pm including face painting, roving characters, craft workshops and cupcake making.