Researchers seek documents, photos or information about those who helped save the historic house
Barbara Knox is the manager of Hillcrest Retirement Village and Graham Thwaite is a village resident. Together they have collaborated over the past two years, researching and writing a book about the Hillcrest site and Stanwell Park, from the time of early European settlers, the Hargrave family and boarding house proprietors through to UPA’s ownership of the site since 1961 to now.
Their extensive research has uncovered many historical documents, including beautiful photos of Hillcrest House, Stanwell Park and the Hargrave family. Some of these photos were recently framed and hung in Hillcrest House to show people the history and the faces of those who called Hillcrest their home. UPA has also installed display panels at three historically significant areas of the site, so that people can learn and understand the past.
Barbara Knox and Graham have met historian and author Michael Adams a few times, as his knowledge of the local area is vast.
They have uncovered quite a lot of historical information and photos but require help from the local community.
They would like to know more about the people who were part of “Friends of Hillcrest”, which was a group that began raising awareness and fundraised to save Hillcrest House, which was in a major state of disrepair in the early 1990s and in danger of being bulldozed.
The founding members were Ruth and Phil Church and Margaret McKinnon (now deceased).
The group organised many activities, including guided tours, walkathons, theatre productions, musicals, campfire song fests, pantomimes, soirees, dinner parties, fetes and art shows and featured musicians, singers, dancers and choirs.
They also had marvellous contributions by local organisations including SPAT Singers, Helensburgh Lions and On The Edge Productions, to name a few.
Historian Michael Adams organised walks and talks and wrote three books and all proceeds were donated to “Friends of Hillcrest”.
The “Friends of Hillcrest” were instrumental in getting Hillcrest House restored and with the funds raised by the Friends and UPA, the house was officially restored and opened in February 1995 at a total cost of $320,000.
The house continues to be maintained by UPA and utilised by the residents of Hillcrest Village. Local groups enjoy the house on a regular basis and the house has been leased for book launches, engagements, weddings and family get-togethers.
Barbara feels privileged to be Hillcrest’s current caretaker and enjoys her time there, trying to imagine how it looked in those historical times.
Barbara and Graham are hoping to have their book published early in 2022.
Anyone who has documents, photos or information relating to Hillcrest or “Friends of Hillcrest”, please contact Barbara on 8197 9304 or barbara.knox@sydney.upa.org.au
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Barbara Knox has worked for UPA for 16 years as a PA and for the past 5 years has been Manager of Hillcrest Retirement Village at Stanwell Park. She’s an avid historian and genealogist and during COVID has been researching and writing a book with one of her village residents.
Graham Thwaite moved to Hillcrest Village, Stanwell Park from Orange in April 2013. Until then, he’d lived in inland New South Wales including almost 40 years as an agricultural scientist with the state government. He’s enjoying living in retirement in the 2508 area and has been active in village life.
