Hills Voices Online

In this episode, we talk with John Baker, 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, Barker shares an insider’s view of the engineering, challenges, and rapid change that shaped today’s Hills Shire.

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 moments, her charity work, her support for The Hills Libraries, and the challenges of being a councillor and Mayor.

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.

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.

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 evolved over the years.

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 1970s and 1980s.

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.

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, she spoke about her father-in-law, Councillor Robert Lowe, an original member of the Baulkham Hills Shire Council in 1906, as well as the early days of life in Lower Portland and her involvement with various community groups throughout her long life.

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 everyday experiences in the 1930s and 1940s.

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 farming industry, with a special focus on his family's mushroom business. Through his stories, we gained a unique perspective on how Maraylya has evolved over the decades.

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 with us stories of his pioneering ancestors and revealed the early history of the house and the surrounding area. Through his personal recollections we gain a unique glimpse into colonial life in The Hills. Roughley House is currently open to the public on the third Friday of the month. Groups can book a tour here. (https://au.openforms.com/Form/79106c0a-b7c2-4aba-8867-24e2fd1ec381)

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, and discuss the tight-knit community of her old neighbours on Terry Road, the local public schools and the transformative land development in the area. Through her stories, we gain a unique perspective on the changes that have shaped Box Hill over the decades.

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 growth and transformation of Rouse Hill, from its early days through to the 2000s.

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 community 70 years ago.

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 lane!

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 the years.

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.

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 journey through history!

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 locals, to its transformation into the vibrant community today.

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 story paints a vivid picture of the development of Kellyville over the years.

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 Dural over the years.

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 early 2000s. From health and childcare, schools, and churches to shopping and entertainment, her recollection paints a vivid picture of the district's development over the years.

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 Showground Road home, the Methodist Church, Castle Hill Public School, and other significant locations, sharing stories about the everyday life of early settlers, life during the Great Depression, and the social and cultural life of Castle Hill.

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.

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, the productions, and her love for theatre arts.

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.

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.