Residents and visitors can once again experience the historic colonial tours of Roughley House in Dural, otherwise known as ‘The Pines’.
Run by The Hills Shire Council’s generous volunteers, these free guided tours allow visitors to view and explore the embedded family history of the 1856 home.
Clive Roughley, the final family resident at the house, bequeathed the property to The Hills Shire Council before his death in 2002 so that it would permanently remain open for the community.
The second cousin of Clive Roughley, Max Roughley, is Council’s longest volunteer at The Pines, having recently celebrated his 40-year volunteer anniversary.
“I am looking forward to reconducting guided tours of Roughley House, our historic home, and sharing our family’s history,” Mr Roughley said.
“I am especially looking forward to visitors who are family members (9th generation children) who will once again have the opportunity to visit this old house.”
Freshly baked goodies, tea and coffee are also available on-site for large, guided tour bookings on behalf of Council.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi is happy to see the return of the guided tours and is encouraging locals to consider not only touring the home, but volunteering to care for, and run guided tours of the historic house.
“I want to encourage residents with an interest in history and heritage to consider joining our Roughley House volunteers,” Mayor Gangemi said.
“It’s a fun and rewarding experience,” Mayor Gangemi added.
Guided tours will also make a return for patrons of Jazz at the Pines, live jazz events run by The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville, held seasonally during the warmer months under the beautiful pine trees of Roughley House.
The next Jazz at the Pines event will be on Sunday, 18 September as part of the 2022 Orange Blossom Festival.
President of The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville, Ian Pascoe said Jazz at The Pines had been entertaining visitors from far and wide for more than 20 years.
“This is such a wonderful event,” Mr Pascoe said.
“Jazz at the Pines is one of the best ways to spend a Sunday afternoon with family and friends and lapping up good music, food and views of the historic venue.
“We are grateful to bring Jazz at the Pines back again in 2022/23 with support from Council, a long-time supporter of these events, as a service to the community,” Mr Pascoe added.
Residents and visitors looking to experience the living history of colonial life are encouraged to book online at jazzatthepines.org.au.
To view the current volunteering opportunities available, visit Council’s website and search for ‘volunteering’.
