PODCAST · society
Hills Voices Online
by The Hills Shire Library Service
The Hills Voices Online (HVO) collection covers various aspects of life in the Hills District. Themes celebrating the varied nature of the Shire include: Changing Suburbs, Changing Shire, Community Stories, Heritage Sites, and Volunteers. Interviews and labelled photos provide a valuable information resource on the heritage of The Hills Shire.
Episodes
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Episode 32 Changing Shire: Former State MP - Wayne Merton
In this episode, we speak with Wayne Merton, former MP for Carlingford and Baulkham Hills, about his path from solicitor to Liberal Party politician. He reflects on his time in public life and his advocacy for the transport infrastructure that helped shape The Hills, including the M2 Motorway,...
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Episode 31 Changing Shire: Former Federal MP – Judy and Alan Cadman (OAM)
In this episode, we spoke with Judy and Alan Cadman. Alan Cadman was the former Federal Member for Mitchell. In this interview, Alan and Judy reflected on their lives as orchardists, community leaders and long-time residents of The Hills District. They discussed the challenges and innovations of...
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Episode 30 Changing Shire: Former Council employee – Wal Buckley
In this episode, we interviewed Wal Buckley, a former Baulkham Hills Shire Council Health and Building Surveyor. Wal Buckley reflected on his long career in local government and the dramatic transformation of The Hills Shire from a largely rural, orchard based district into a modern suburban and...
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Episode 29 Changing Shire: Former Council Employee – Steven Dunesky
In this episode, we interviewed Steven Dunesky, a former employee of Baulkham Hills Shire Council. He reflected on growing up in the Hills District during the 1950s and 1960s, and on his long career with Council, including his work as Parks Operations Manager.
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Episode 28 Changing Shire: Former Council Employee – Wolf Bickel
In this episode, we spoke with Wolf Bickel, a former Baulkham Hills Shire Council employee, who reflected on growing up and working in The Hills from the 1950s, his long career with Council, and the ways safety standards, technology and work practices changed as the area evolved from farmland to...
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Episode 27 Changing Shire: Former Council Engineer – John Barker
In this episode, we talk with John Barker, who worked for many years as the Council Engineer at Baulkham Hills Shire Council and saw the area change from farmland into a busy urban community. From subdivisions and industrial growth to the M2, Norwest Business Park, and modern civic facilities…
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Episode 26 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor & Mayor – Sonya Phillips
In this episode, Sonya reflects on her long career helping shape The Hills Shire, from stabilising finances and modernising services to heritage projects, and major initiatives like the eastern ring road and the Shire’s renaming. She shares what the Council was like in the 1990s, key political...
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Episode 25 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor Geoff Brooke-Cowden
In this episode, we interviewed former Baulkham Hills Shire Mayor, Councillor Geoff Brooke‑Cowden, who reflected on his medical career, his experiences living in Baulkham Hills, his time on the Council, and the contributions he made to the community.
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Episode 24 Changing Shire – Former Baulkham Hills Shire Council Councillor Les Shore
This episode features the late Les Shore, former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor and President, talked about his early life in Glenorie, his role as Castle Hill Public School Principal, and his contributions to the local community.
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Episode 23 Changing Suburbs: West Pennant Hills – Jack Smith
In this episode, West Pennant Hills resident Jack Smith takes us on a time travel journey back to the 1930s. Jack shares stories about his family, his parents, and the local farms, shops and many other aspects of the local life. Through his recollections, we learn how West Pennant Hills has…
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Episode 22 Changing Suburbs: Wisemans Ferry – Bon and Noel Lennon
In this episode, we spoke with Bon and Noel Lennon, longtime residents of Wisemans Ferry. They shared memories of their old neighbours, the local social scene, rich history of the local area, and the impact of the devastating 1978 flood. Their recollection took us back to Wisemans Ferry in the...
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Episode 21 Changing Suburbs: Nelson - Norm Hession
In this episode, we spoke with Norm Hession, a long-term resident of Nelson. In this interview, Norm shared stories about his early life on a poultry farm, his family history, local schools and shops, transportation, and the devastating 1939 fire in the area.
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Episode 20 Changing Suburbs: Lower Portland - Connie Lowe
In this episode, we revisit an interview with the late Connie Lowe, wife of former Hills Shire Councillor Harvey Lowe, after whom the Harvey Lowe Pavilion at Castle Hill Showground was named. Connie was born in 1900 and moved to Lower Portland on the Hawkesbury River in 1931. In this interview…
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Episode 19 Changing Suburbs: West Pennant Hills – Gwen Millhouse
In this episode, we spoke with Gwen Millhouse, long-term West Pennant Hills resident and author of The Settlers of West Pennant Hills Valley, 1799 Onwards. Gwen shared memories of her childhood in West Pennant Hills, her family life during the Depression, old neighbours, local schools, and…
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Episode 18 Changing Suburbs: Maraylya - John Cox
In this episode, we talked with longtime Maraylya resident John Cox, who shared the memories of his life in the area during the 1950s. He took us on a journey through his childhood, the local schools, shops, and the simple ways people entertained themselves back then. John also spoke about the...
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Episode 17 Heritage Sites: Clive Roughley - Roughley House
In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing the late Gordon 'Clive' Roughley, the last Roughley family resident of Roughley House, a historic property now owned by the Hills Shire Council. Roughley House was built in 1856 and stands as an iconic landmark of the Dural area. Clive shared...
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Episode 16 Changing Suburbs: Box Hill - Trish Miller
In this episode, we spoke with Trish Miller, who had been a Box Hill resident for over 60 years, as she takes us on a journey through Box Hill in the 1940s. We explore the daily life on her parents’ poultry farm, the founding of Box Hill Progress Association, and the early history of Box Hill…
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Episode 15 Changing Suburbs: Rouse Hill - Jack Iori (OAM)
In this month's episode, we talk with Jack Iori (OAM), who called Rouse Hill home for over 70 years. In this fascinating interview, Jack shares stories about his heritage, his family’s egg farm, and life in Rouse Hill during the 1930s, including the local school and shops. He also reflects on the...
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Episode 14 Changing Suburbs: Kenthurst - Malcolm Johnston
In this episode, we chat with Malcolm Johnston, a long-time Kenthurst resident. He takes us back to the 1950s, sharing stories of daily life on the local citrus farms, Kenthurst Public School, the shops, the post office, and the community. His memories help create a clear picture of the rural...
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Episode 13 Changing Suburbs: Glenorie - Ray Whiteman
Join Ray Whiteman, as he shares stories about Glenorie in the 1940s and 50s. From his family’s farming business to local transport, schools, local shops, scouts, and community hall, Ray’s vivid storytelling takes us back Glenorie in a much quieter time. Don’t miss this engaging trip down memory...
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Episode 12 Changing Suburbs: Castle Hill - Connie Keith
In this episode, we talk to Connie Keith who moved to Castle Hill from Italy with her parents when she was 6 years old. Connie shares stories of her childhood in the Hills area in the 1950s, her life on a farm near Victoria Avenue Castle Hill, people’s social life and how the area changed over…
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Episode 11 Changing Suburbs: Maroota - Charlie and Carmen Camilleri
This month we explore life in Maroota in the 1970s and 1980s in an intriguing interview with Charlie and Carmen Camilleri. Their storytelling paints a vivid picture of life on a fruit & vegetable farm, the Maltese community, the neighbourhood in the area and the changes to Maroota over the years.
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Episode 10 Changing Suburbs: Annangrove - John Doering
In this episode, we meet John Doring, a long-term Annangrove resident. Join us as he shares stories of his childhood in the 1930s, the farming businesses in the area, the harrowing 1939 bush fire in the Hills District and how residents celebrated Christmas. Don't miss out on this fascinating...
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Episode 9 Changing Suburbs: Glenhaven – Helen Zamprogno
In this episode, we talk to fourth-generation Glenhaven resident Helen Zamprogno (nee Holland) as she unravels the rich tapestry of Glenhaven’s past. From the humble beginnings of the district, farming and daily life in the rural area, public transport in the past, shops and entertainment for...
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Episode 8 Changing Suburbs: Kellyville – Flo and Dennis Willcox
In this episode, we meet long-term Kellyville residents Flo Willcox and her son Dennis Willcox. Together, they take us on a nostalgic journey through the early days of Kellyville, from their life on the dairy farm to the neighbours, the local Comito’s store, and Kellyville Public School. Their...
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Episode 7 Changing Suburbs: Dural - Pat Nati (OAM)
Pat Nati (OAM), a Dural flower grower, business owner, and long-term resident, takes us on a personal journey back to the early years of Dural. His interview is filled with stories of the Italian migrants in the area, the flower and vegetable farming business, and the changes that have shaped…
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Episode 6 Changing Suburbs: Baulkham Hills - Elizabeth Porter
In this episode, we delve into the rich history of Baulkham Hills, guided by the recollections of long-term resident and Hills District Historical Society member, Elizabeth Porter. Elizabeth takes us on a journey through time, sharing her early memories of Baulkham Hills from the 1950s to the…
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Episode 5 Changing Suburbs: Castle Hill - Heather Watson
In this podcast episode, The late Heather Watson, nee Kentwell, a member of the Hills pioneering Kentwell family and the author of The Kentwell Chronicle, Where Have All the Orchards Gone and several other books, guided us through the historical landscape of The Hills District. She took us to her...
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Episode 4 The Environment - Patricia Schwartz
This month, Join Patricia Schwartz, a long-term resident of Glenorie, as she talks about life in the Hills rural area in the 1980s, wildlife in Maroota Forest, her role as a member of the Glenorie Progress Association, and the changes in the bushland over the years.
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Episode 3 Castle Hill Players - Maureen Cartledge
Castle Hill Players, which has been entertaining local people since 1954, is celebrating its 70th birthday this year. In this podcast episode, Maureen Cartledge, set designer, scenic artist, archivist, and long-term member of The Castle Hill Players, talks about their history, Pavilion Theatre…
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Episode 2 Castle Hill RSL Club - Ron Smith OAM
The late Ron Smith OAM, former Castle Hill and District sub-branch vice president and Naval officer, spoke to us about life in Castle Hill during wartime as well as the development of Castle Hill RSL Club and its ANZAC Day celebrations.
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Episode 1 Castle Hill Heritage Park - Peter Douglas and Graham Wilson
Join Archaeologists Peter Douglas and Graham Wilson in this Podcast episode, as they talk about the history of early European settlement in Castle Hill, Castle Hill Rebellion and the discovery of the location of Castle Hill Barracks.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Hills Voices Online (HVO) collection covers various aspects of life in the Hills District. Themes celebrating the varied nature of the Shire include: Changing Suburbs, Changing Shire, Community Stories, Heritage Sites, and Volunteers. Interviews and labelled photos provide a valuable information resource on the heritage of The Hills Shire.
HOSTED BY
The Hills Shire Library Service
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Hills Voices Online have?
Hills Voices Online currently has 32 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Hills Voices Online about?
The Hills Voices Online (HVO) collection covers various aspects of life in the Hills District. Themes celebrating the varied nature of the Shire include: Changing Suburbs, Changing Shire, Community Stories, Heritage Sites, and Volunteers. Interviews and labelled photos provide a valuable...
How often does Hills Voices Online release new episodes?
Hills Voices Online has 32 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Hills Voices Online?
You can listen to Hills Voices Online on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Hills Voices Online?
Hills Voices Online is created and hosted by The Hills Shire Library Service.
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