When the railway line was being extended from Lidcombe to Regents Park, the names Torrington, Sidmouth and Bareela were considered.

A small group of shops is located beside the railway station, including a Charcoal Chicken, a newsagent and the EVT bakery.

Over the past decade till now, Berala has been experiencing the processes of gentrification due to its increasingly central location to the city & amongst other major small cities such as Parramatta & Miranda etc with the westward expansion and development of the Sydney metropolitan area, reflecting the waves of immigration to Australia in the 21st century.

More and more professionals and skilled workers choose to live in this convenient and matured community.Its location is in the central part of Sydney, but still has a village type of atmosphere.

There is also Trinity Junior Catholic College (formerly known as St Peter Chanel Girls High School).

Former Berala Bears players include Brisbane Broncos forward Terry Matterson, Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers winger Matt Utai, South Sydney Rabbitohs half Jeremy Smith, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles forward Anthony Watmough, South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Apisai Koroisau and Sydney Roosters utility player Samisoni Langi, Melbourne Storm winger Isaac Lumelume.