Prior to European settlement, Bardwell Valley was a significant part of the lands of the
Cadigal people. Bardwell Valley was originally the name used to describe the land beside Bardwell Creek in the suburb of
Bardwell Park. The suburb was formed in 1996 from parts of
Arncliffe that bordered the valley and creek. Bardwell Park was named after free settler Thomas Hill Bardwell who owned land in this area. Thomas Hill Bardwell was a wealthy
pastoralist from southern New South Wales who bought the land in December 1853. In 2002, the
City of Rockdale established an olive grove in Silver Jubilee Park, commemorating the contribution of the
Australian Greek community in the development of the City of Rockdale. ==Demographics==