History of the History of the Hills Shire Hills Shire

CouncilCouncil

Who were the first Who were the first settlers in the Hills?settlers in the Hills?

Some of the Hills area was occupied by the Some of the Hills area was occupied by the Dharug people (an Aboriginal inland group).Dharug people (an Aboriginal inland group).

The first visitors were members of an The first visitors were members of an expedition led by Governor Phillip in April expedition led by Governor Phillip in April 1791. 1791.

They were looking for a new area for They were looking for a new area for settlement and farming.settlement and farming.

In 1794, William Joyce- a pardoned convict- In 1794, William Joyce- a pardoned convict- was given the first piece of land in Baulkham was given the first piece of land in Baulkham Hills.Hills.

A Farming AreaA Farming Area

Many people soon began to come to Many people soon began to come to the Hills area.the Hills area.

They stocked their land with cattle They stocked their land with cattle and sheep and planted crops of and sheep and planted crops of wheat.wheat.

The Hills area became popular for The Hills area became popular for farming.farming.

What is Government What is Government Farm?Farm?

In 1801 Government Farm opened in In 1801 Government Farm opened in Castle Hill.Castle Hill.

Convicts lived on the farm and were Convicts lived on the farm and were sent to work on crops to support the sent to work on crops to support the growing colony in the Hills. growing colony in the Hills.

The farm spread towards Dural The farm spread towards Dural

and Glenorie.and Glenorie.

Battle of Vinegar HillBattle of Vinegar Hill

The Battle of Vinegar Hill is a The Battle of Vinegar Hill is a famous conflict in The Hills Shire famous conflict in The Hills Shire that occurred in 1804.that occurred in 1804.

200 convicts broke out of 200 convicts broke out of Government Farm. They wanted to Government Farm. They wanted to go to the Windsor area, set other go to the Windsor area, set other convicts free, gather more weapons, convicts free, gather more weapons, attack Sydney and set sail for attack Sydney and set sail for freedom.freedom.

Battle of Vinegar HillBattle of Vinegar Hill The convicts’ plan failed because the guards at The convicts’ plan failed because the guards at

Government Farm raised the alarm in Government Farm raised the alarm in Parramatta. Parramatta.

Army troops were sent out immediately and after Army troops were sent out immediately and after a battle, they recaptured the convicts at Rouse a battle, they recaptured the convicts at Rouse Hill. 15 convicts died during the battle. Hill. 15 convicts died during the battle.

The leaders were punished. Some were executed, The leaders were punished. Some were executed, others were given lashes and others were sent to others were given lashes and others were sent to

another Government Farm in a different area.another Government Farm in a different area.

FruitFruit

When George Suttor (a free settler) When George Suttor (a free settler) arrived in Baulkham Hills, he bought arrived in Baulkham Hills, he bought with him many fruit trees.with him many fruit trees.

The fruit trees proved to be better The fruit trees proved to be better crops than wheat. crops than wheat.

Fruit orchards became very popular Fruit orchards became very popular in the Hills area. By 1887, the land in the Hills area. By 1887, the land from Parramatta to Castle Hill was from Parramatta to Castle Hill was being used to grow oranges, apples, being used to grow oranges, apples, plums, peaches and apricots. plums, peaches and apricots.

A Popular AreaA Popular Area

The Hills was soon becoming an area The Hills was soon becoming an area known for farming and many people known for farming and many people were coming to the area. were coming to the area.

Residents in the Hills began to set Residents in the Hills began to set up schools and businesses. up schools and businesses.

The first police constables were The first police constables were stationed at Baulkham Hills in the stationed at Baulkham Hills in the 1920’s. 1920’s.

Transport in the HillsTransport in the Hills People used to travel from the Hills to the city by People used to travel from the Hills to the city by

horse and wagon. horse and wagon. In 1902, a tramway service opened. This went In 1902, a tramway service opened. This went

from Parramatta to Baulkham Hills. from Parramatta to Baulkham Hills. The tramway led to an increase in the amount of The tramway led to an increase in the amount of

people that lived in the Hills Area. people that lived in the Hills Area. The tramway was soon replaced by a train and The tramway was soon replaced by a train and

railway however by 1928 many more people railway however by 1928 many more people were using cars so the railway closed. were using cars so the railway closed.

< Baulkham Hills Station (now the Bowling Club)

Steam Tram at Castle Hill Terminus >

The Hills Shire CouncilThe Hills Shire Council

In 1906, the Baulkham Hills area was In 1906, the Baulkham Hills area was officially proclaimed ‘Baulkham Hills Shire officially proclaimed ‘Baulkham Hills Shire Council’Council’

Councillor Bruce Purser was elected as the Councillor Bruce Purser was elected as the first President of the Shire of Baulkham Hills. first President of the Shire of Baulkham Hills.

Over the years, the population of the council Over the years, the population of the council has grown. There has been a need for more has grown. There has been a need for more services and infrastructure. services and infrastructure.

In 2008, ‘Baulkham Hills Shire Council’ to In 2008, ‘Baulkham Hills Shire Council’ to ‘The Hills Shire Council’.‘The Hills Shire Council’.