What a perfect winter’s day for our tour of the Rouse Hill historic precinct and end of program bbq at Rouse Hill Regional Park! Thirty three walkers and one visitor assembled at the Visitor’s Centre where we were introduced to our three guides for this morning’s tour. Each of the three groups headed off in different directions looking forward to exploring the extensive grounds with its convict built house, summerhouse, stables, barns and various other buildings scattered over the property.
Photographer (John G) missing in this group and.......... photographer (De) missing in this group
Front view of Rouse Hill House and side view of house and servant's wings
Richard Rouse arrived on the Nile at Sydney in December 1801 as a free settler with his wife Elizabeth and two small children. On 8 October 1816 Rouse was granted 450 acres (182 ha) near the site of the battle of Vinegar Hill, in the Bathurst district; at the suggestion of Macquarie the grant was named Rouse Hill. The actual possession of the land had taken place a few years previously, as the Sydney Gazette had first mentioned Rouse Hill on 27 November 1813, and the homestead was begun soon afterwards. It took a few years to build and was a two-storey, twenty-two room house, which has been occupied by members of the Rouse family ever since. The last Rouse family member left in 1993. Rouse Hill House has been left in situ.
Entry hall of the house and dining room
Drawing Room ............I think someone is watching you Rhondda!
Stables with wall adornment,horse boxes, jockeys room
Designer of the stables was Canadian-born architect John Horbury Hunt who was also the architect of Christ Church Cathedral of Newcastle and many other churches and stables in NSW. Horses were bred for racing, hunting and cart and carriage horses.
Dairy and...............potting shed
A sad Humber Super Snipe.......
Another feature of the Rouse Hill historic precinct is the old Rouse Hill School House which was built in1888 just opposite the carriage way of Rouse Hill House. It was a one school teacher for sixty children.
Our wonderful tour was now completed and time to drive around to the other side of the Rouse Hill historic precinct to Rouse Hill Regional Park for our end of program BBQ. Rouse Hill Regional Park is under control of NPWS.
With the hungry walkers now being satisifed after their bbq lunch, it was time for the formal part of the day. President Kurt addressed the walkers. Today marked the anniversary of ten years since the incorporation of HVB. In his address, Kurt paid a special tribute to Jean and Anne who were the embodiment of Hill View bushwalkers. Kurt outlined the setting up of the club from its incorporation to the present day.
Rhondda, Jill and Chris McA listening intently to Kurt's address and our very relaxed long standing Secretary, John G
The surprise of the day was a delicious cake to celebrate HVB's tenth anniversary. Happy 10th anniversary HVB. Inc. Very appropriately Norma had the honour of cutting the cake. A big thank you to Rhondda for organising the cake!
The inaugural committee L-R....Kurt (President), Jim (Committee Member), Deidre (Secretary), Don W (Committee Member), Lyn (Committee Member), Bert (Treasurer). Absent are Margaret Booth and Sue Stuckey (Committee Members).
A stroll around the 1km return Second Ponds Creek Loop completed another great day out with HVB Inc.
For the record the following attended: Helen A, Ida, Nick, Don B, Sue B, Rhondda, Elaine E, Annette, Michael, John and Ros, Ray and Norma, Mary, Martin, Lyndy, Kas, Chris McA, Jean McD, Dawn, Robyn M, Bert, Margaret P, Wendy P, Kurt, Deidre, Kevin and Rosemary, Lyn, Jim, Judy, Jill, Don W and a visitor.
Words by Deidre
Photos Chris McA (1, 9), John G (2, 5), Deidre (3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 15, 17, 18, 25, 27), Don W (4, 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26), Helen A (14, 16)