Panania is an Aboriginal word meaning sun rising in the east and shining on the hills. It is located 23 kilometres south-
west of the central business districtin the local government area of the City of Bankstown. The postcode is 2213, which it shares with adjacent suburbs East Hills and Picnic Point. Panania is bounded on the north by the M5 Southwestern Motor and the suburb of Milperra. Picnic Point, to the south, features parklands along the Georges River. East Hills is the suburb to the west and Revesby is located to the east.
Commercial Area
Panania has a shopping area adjacent to Panania railway station. It runs along Weston Street, Anderson Avenue and Tower Street. Anderson Avenue features several local government facilities including a senior citizens centre and a public library. Panania Hotel is located on the northern side of Panania railway station.
Transport
Panania Railway Station is on the East Hills line of the cityrail network. Parts of Panania are serviced by buses operated by Veolia Transport NSW, generally following the routes established by McVicar's bus service.
The East Hills railway line, which originally terminated one stop away at East Hills divided the suburb into two distinct precincts. During the 1980s, the railway line was extended with a rail bridge over the Georges River, to Campbelltown. This had the effect of raising Panania's suburban status as it was no longer second last on the line, but comfortably midway.
Churches
Panania features notable buildings such as Holy Trinity Anglican Church and St Christopher's Catholic Church. St Christopher's is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Panania, the converted Panania Star Art Deco cinema, which retains a number of original features, including a decorative ceiling. After a grant from the Sydney Archdiocese and many donations from parishioners, St. Christopher's underwent renovations costing $165,000 which were completed early in 2006. The Salvation Army also has a corps there, the old building was recently refurbished.
Schools
Panania Public School, Panania North Public School, Tower Street Public School, St Christopher's Catholic School.
Houses
Panania is mostly a residential suburb, which was developed after World Way II and contains many modest freestanding bungalows built from asbestos cement sheeting (commonly known as fibro).
Sport
Panania is home to three soccer clubs, St Christopher's Soccer Club is based at Marco Reserve,Panania -East Hills RSL Youth Soccer Club play at Kelso Reserve and Revesby Workers Football Club which is also based at Marco Reserve.
Panania is also home to the St Christophers Junior Rugby League club which plays in the Bulldogs (Canterbury-Bankstown) District Junior Rugby League. It has produced such Rugby League players as Brent Sherwin, Graeme Hughes, Corey Hughes, Jarrad Hickey and Mark Riddell.
Notable residents
The following are or have been residents of Panania:
- Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh former Australian cricketers, attended Panania Public School and East Hills Boys Technology High School.
- Ian Thorpe Olympic gold medalist swimmer, attended Milperra Public School and East Hills Boys Technology High School.
- Actor Bryan Brown was raised in Panania.
Politics
Panania is in the Banks electorate for federal politics the local member is Daryl Melham who is a long serving member. For state politics, Alan Ashton is the member for East Hills.