Hills Voices Online

The Hills Shire Library Service

The Hills Voices Online (HVO) collection covers many aspects of life in the Hills District. Themes celebrating the varied nature of the Shire are Changing Suburbs, Changing Shire, Community Stories, Heritage Sites and Volunteers.

  1. Jul 31

    Episode 30 Changing Shire: Former Council employee – Wal Buckley

    In this episode, we interviewed Wal Buckley, a former Baulkham Hills Shire Council Health and Building Surveyor. Wal Buckley reflected on his long career in local government and the dramatic transformation of The Hills Shire from a largely rural, orchard based district into a modern suburban and commercial center.

  2. Jun 30

    Episode 29 Changing Shire: Former Council Employee – Steven Dunesky

    In this episode, we interviewed Steven Dunesky, a former employee of Baulkham Hills Shire Council. He reflected on growing up in the Hills District during the 1950s and 1960s, and on his long career with Council, including his work as Parks Operations Manager.

  3. May 31

    Episode 28 Changing Shire: Former Council Employee – Wolf Bickel

    In this episode, we spoke with Wolf Bickel, a former Baulkham Hills Shire Council employee, who reflected on growing up and working in The Hills from the 1950s, his long career with Council, and the ways safety standards, technology and work practices changed as the area evolved from farmland to suburbia.

  4. Apr 30

    Episode 27 Changing Shire: Former Council Engineer – John Barker

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

  5. Mar 31

    Episode 26 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor & Mayor – Sonya Phillips

    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.

  6. Feb 28

    Episode 25 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor Geoff Brooke-Cowden

    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.

  7. Jan 31

    Episode 24 Changing Shire – Former Baulkham Hills Shire Council Councillor Les Shore

    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.

  8. 12/31/2025

    Episode 23 Changing Suburbs: West Pennant Hills – Jack Smith

    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.

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About

The Hills Voices Online (HVO) collection covers many aspects of life in the Hills District. Themes celebrating the varied nature of the Shire are Changing Suburbs, Changing Shire, Community Stories, Heritage Sites and Volunteers.

Information

  • Creator
    The Hills Shire Library Service
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hills Voices Online