World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Liverpool’s residents keep the city running through hard work
Liverpool is a suburb about 30 kilometres south-west of central Sydney.
The writer, who grew up there, says the place is often described in ways that do not match everyday life in the community.
Its streets have changed, with universities, new shops, restaurants and night markets adding to the local scene.
Festivals in Macquarie Mall draw people from across Sydney and showcase Liverpool’s cultural diversity.
The writer says the area’s shared language is not captured by the census: it is the grind of early starts, physical work and long commutes.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, many residents kept working in jobs that could not be done from home, including construction, cleaning, nursing and teaching.
The account offers a personal view of a suburb whose residents helped keep the wider city functioning.
Liverpool is a diverse suburb in south-west Sydney whose residents do physical work, commute long distances and hold jobs that cannot be done from home.
The author says these workers helped keep the wider city running during COVID-19 lockdowns.
The suburb is about 30 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD.
The author describes Liverpool’s food, festivals and changing city centre as central to its identity.
Thousands of people from across Sydney attend the Eurofest Night Market Festival in Macquarie Mall.
- Who
- Liverpool residents, including tradies, cleaners, nurses and teachers.
- What
- Residents’ work and community life keep the city running.
- When
- The author highlights the COVID-19 lockdown period. The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Liverpool, in south-west Sydney, Australia.
- Why
- Many residents do essential work that cannot be done from home, including work that allows other parents to earn a living.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
the universal language of Liverpool is the grind
people from Liverpool were keeping the wider city afloat
It’s hard not to have a chip on your shoulder when you grow up here
wants to see the whole world
The author recalls growing up in Liverpool and visiting the Coles Cafeteria and Liverpool Plaza.
Westfield Liverpool became a regular meeting place for the author and friends.
Liverpool residents continued working, including the author’s wife, who taught and supervised students at school.
SMH published the article.
- Distance from Sydney CBD
- About 30 kilometres
- Local government area
- City of Liverpool
- Festival location
- Macquarie Mall
- Festival attendance
- Thousands of people from across Sydney
- Publication date
- 12 October 2026





