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An Interview with Eva Gerethy (foundation student of the school) in 1992

The name "North Rocks" dates back to the beginning of the settlement at Parramatta, which at first was called Rosehill. In 1789 Governor Phillip reserved large areas to the north and west of Rosehill for the use of Government stock - the present Northmead and Westmead. The reserve to the north was described as extending as far as "the North Rocks".

The North Rocks were a massive stone outcrop which terminated the ridge on the south side of Hunts Creek and gave their name to the locality. In 1841 when it was decided to build a new gaol at Parramatta much of the North Rocks became the gaol walls and flagstones finished in 1844. Further inroads were made on what was left of the sandstone rock when the masonry dam wall (about 80 metres long and 5 metres through at the base) at Lake Parramatta was erected in 1855-6.

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Early Settlement

There was no settlement in the North Rocks area proper till well into the nineteenth century. It became a favoured place for picnics along the banks of the two streams that met there. Also many gallons of poteen found their way from the stills in the many caves in the area to the ready market at Parramatta.

Settlement along North Rocks Road came from a different direction; from Pennant Hills Road (the district known as "The Northern Boundary") and Carlingford Railway the district known as "The Ponds").

Land grants were made in part of the area stretching from Baulkham Hills to North Sydney that was called the Field of Mars, and although it was thought that grants in this area were for soldiers, it appears that many who received grants were actually ex-convicts.

Richard Partridge arrived in the First Fleet and his holding on which he resided extended from Pennant Hills Road to Brown's orchard in Jenkin's Road. Other grants along Pennant Hills Road quickly followed to John Jennings, James Larra, Simon Taylor, John and James Kenny until the corner of North Rocks Road was reached. The block bounded by Pennant Hills, North Rocks and Jenkins Roads was granted to Peter Smith on May 1, 1797. One month later Timothy Hollister was granted the first block on North Rocks Road itself - a block of 12 hectares adjoining Smith on the west. No extension along the road took place for a further three years. Hollister remained on his land. After he borrowed a pit saw from the Irish rebel, Joseph Liolt, it was stolen. He battled hard to clear and bring his block under cultivation but the struggle was too much for him. He went insane and died on January 6, 1806, aged 40.

Between April 16 and 20, 1799, grants of 40 hectares each were made to Thomas Arndell, Samuel Marsden, Francis Oakes, Rowland Hassall, William Henry and James Fleet Cover. Arndell came out as Assistant Surgeon in the First Fleet and was Parramatta's first doctor; Reverend Samuel Marsden was the first incumbent at St John's in Parramatta; Oakes, Hassall, Henry and Cover were members of the first Christian mission to the South Sea Islands. They arrived at Tahiti aboard the Duff on 6 March, 1797. Tribal war broke out and they were forced to flee, being picked up by the Nautilus which had reached Tahiti needing repairs. The missionaries returned to Sydney on 31 March, 1798.

Hassall's grant is now the Pennant Hills Golf Course, Eaton and Oakes Roads cross where the middle of Oakes' farm had been; the others were to the north of these, Marsden's covering the junction of the present Pennant Hills and Castle Hill Roads.

By 1805 John McArthur's sheep roamed over most of the land from Mobbs Hill to the Golf Links and well westward of Pennant Hills Road after he bought many of the early farms. The farms and sheep and cattle were looked after by Assigned Servants - convicts still under sentence. These men did not work in iron chains as other convicts did, nor were they locked up at night. They were free except they could not leave their master's property without his permission.

For long years there were few permanent settlers. A track branched off Pennant Hills Road and led to John Aiken's 12 hectare farm. After John McArthur had exchanged his holding for land in the Camden district, Robert Jenkins acquired possession of an area at Mobbs Hill, and Andrew Murray built up his large farm which stretched from Devlin's Creek almost to North Rocks village. But much of McArthur's land fell to another absentee owner - James Dunlop, Government Astronomer. Dunlop lived and worked in the Observatory in Parramatta Park, and not on his farm. Development was almost at a standstill, and new ventures at the North Rocks end were needed to put fresh life into the district.

In 1823 John Raine landed in New South Wales with the intention of establishing a steam-driven flour mill. He chose the site at North Rocks where the two streams met. The Governor made him a grant of 8 hectares from the Township Reserve, and Raine had the stone building under construction by 1825. The opening of the mill in 1826 was celebrated for it was the first flour mill in the Parramatta district not dependent on wind and water for its operation. The mill had a capacity of over 2 500 bushels of wheat per week, and its establishment gave a great impetus to the growing of grain.

The effect upon North Rocks was immediate. All the arable land included in the Township Reserve was released and wheat growing boomed. George Eccleston obtained 8 hectares which covered the flat area on top of the ridge, and William Charles Wentworth received the whole of the remaining area between the two creeks which was worth having - some 120 hectares. Joseph Seville was granted 20 hectares south of the creek and adjoining the Windsor Road. The two streams also got their names at the same time. Raine called his venture the Darling Mills after the Governor, and the name was passed on to the Creek. Seville lived with his brother-in-law, Samuel Hunt, and so Hunts Creek obtained its name.

With the advent of the mill, North Rocks Road began to take shape. The bullock drays which conveyed the grains to the mill followed the natural road along the crest of the ridge. There was little variation in that track and the road of today.

At Arnold Grove some farms were surveyed for a group of soldiers. Arnold Grove itself was allotted to Private John Booker, across the road were grants to Corporal David Nairn and Private Joseph James; other farms lay along Loyalty Road and from there to Barclay Road. But few were taken up the grantees. For instance, the block upon portion of which the North Rocks School stands was granted to Private John Pickup, but he sold it to A.Imlay before the grant was even made out.

Unfortunately the district and climate were not fitted for wheat. Rust proved disastrous to the crops and the Darling Mills were forced to close. They were reopened as woollen mills before being closed and today the site is a Hardwardhouse store. The district fell back again mainly to grazing and absentee owners. Most of the village of North Rocks stands on the north and north-west portions of Thomas Horton James's 130 hectare grant which is thought to have grown some tobacco. Most of the remainder of the village is on William Wright's 12 hectare grant.

Edward Henry Statham, a journalist, who became editor of "The Australian", acquired Arnold Grove during this period. When he retired from the press, Statham devoted himself to farming, and in 1844 successfully established an apiary at Arnold Grove - the first in the district. In 1850 he assisted in founding the School of Arts and was elected its first President. It is recorded that Statham Avenue was the track he followed when travelling to and from Parramatta.

But the man who undoubtedly had the greatest influence of all upon the district of North Rocks was James Pye, generally known as Rocky Hall or Lucky Pye. He acquired virtually all of the land at the lower ends of the two creeks and established an orangery. His orchard became the showplace of the district. The great objective of his public life was to give Parramatta a water supply. As early as May 1850 a Water Committee was appointed - and Pye was on it. It decided to impound the waters of Hunt's Creek and a contract was let in 1851 to build the wall. There were many setbacks, and the work was not begun until 1855. Pye, the previous year had made a gift of the necessary land together with an area along the edge of the reservoir. Because of legal difficulties it took another 25 years before water poured from the taps in Parramatta. Later, the reservoir became Lake Parramatta, a popular pleasure resort.

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The School

North Rocks came of age when its first Public School was opened under Herbert William Edwards in June 1923.

Local residents first approached the Department of Education in 1919, but because the children could walk the two miles to either Carlingford or Pennant Hills the application was declined.

The boys at North Rocks Public School (October, 1923)

By 1821 the names of 50 students were provided and the Department agreed to open a school (the third in NSW to be called North Rocks).

The school opened in April,1923 in a two room, wooden building designed to accommodate up to 96. The children, in the single class were aged from 4 years to 13 years. There was no uniform and several children attended in bare feet. North Rocks Rd was little more than a dirt track - a number of children rode horses or walked several kilometres to school.

The girls at North Rocks Public School (October, 1923)

Although 29 children were enrolled it was rare to have full attendance. Sickness was a problem and when crops had to be picked, children were often expected to stay home and help. For the one case of head lice reported during the first year, the child was sent home, her head was shaved and she stayed home until the hair grew again.

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An Interview with Eva Gerethy (foundation student of the school) in 1992

1. What is your name, age, and how long have you been a resident of North Rocks?

Were you born in North Rocks?

My name is Eva Gerethy. I am 75 years old. I have lived on this property all my life, and hopefully that's where I'll end my days. I am one of the oldest original residents, born here at number 41 Barclay Road. My parents came to North Rocks in 1915. My father from Ireland, mother from England. They chose this 5 acre (approx 2 hectares) block as it was already producing an income from apricots and citrus fruits. There was also some poultry on the property. They were told they could make a living from the prosperous looking farm, but they very soon found that this was not possible and father had to look elsewhere for work. The total purchase in price, walk in was 300 pounds. That was the value in those days.

2. Did you attend school and if so, which school did you attend?

What was it like?

We began our schooling at North Rocks Public School, which was built in 1923. My younger sister had to be enrolled at the age of four to make up the numbers to engage a teacher. The one teacher taught all ages from 4 years to 13 years - quite different these days. North Rocks did not have a big population, and at one stage enrolment at the school fell so low they thought it would have to close.

3. Where did the children go to school before North Rocks Public School?

Prior to this school being built, the children attended Carlingford Public School.

4. What was life like without electricity, gas or water?

When did they come to North Rocks and how did life change?

We were all pleased when electricity came in 1930 or 1931. It took some time for us to become used to the changes that took place. We were so used to listening to the wireless on our little crystal set, which we took turns at, with the ear phones. To be able to have a gramophone that didn't have to be wound up was truly wonderful. Then a fridge that kept everything fresh in the kitchen - these comforts were a wonderful help. Before that kerosene lamps and candles were the only means of lighting and fuel stoves were the only means of cooking and heating. Life became much easier.

Water was a big problem. We had to rely on the well and tanks and fortunately we were never right out of water. Daily baths were a no-no, lucky to have one a week in summer. The water was connected to the area in the early twenties. We were lucky children as some families only had water tanks.

5. What was the usual routine at home?

We were happy children with simple pleasures. We always had our chores to do after school - gathering sticks was a daily job, and there was also the gardens and the chickens to attend to. Assistance was always required with the cooking and cleaning.

6. How was the food cooked and where was it stored?

There was a fuel stove which was the only means of cooking and heating. Mother used the well as a cooler, all food was lowered in a bucket and kept beautifully. Even the ice cream that mother made, remained frozen.

7. What did people do for entertainment?

Was any sort of sport part of this entertainment?

There were two tennis courts in North Rocks. They were very popular and created a nice social life for ages. Cricket was enjoyed at Farnell Park. After World War 2 another hall was built on the land where the B.P. service station now stands on North Rocks Road. It was built by voluntary labour and created a lot of entertainment with dances and other functions. Parramatta was the place to go for the picture shows and the only means to get there was by bus.

8. What was the transport like in those days, and what were the roads like?

Mr Watson was the bus proprietor and it is in his memory that the reserve at the corner of Loyalty Road was named, as it is said "he was the person who had passed that point more times than anyone else." I think it was about 1925 that the bus commenced to run, prior to that we travelled by horse and sulky. That was when the shopping was done, and there was only a little post office with tobacco and lollies where the Claude Faye Cellars now stand.

The roads were very rough and narrow, and when a strip of asphalt was laid after the war, it seemed to be a red letter day. The North Rocks Road was the only outlet. Enter at Church St Parramatta and go through to Pennant Hills Road. Statham Avenue did not go through, Barclay Road did not go past Perry St and New North Rocks Rd did not exist. It has only been in the last 35 years that this quick development has taken place.

9. Where were the jobs?

Factories have brought employment to this area as well as the Westfield Shopping Complex.

10. How did the Depression affect the area of North Rocks?

We remember the days during the Depression, when many families through no fault of their own were forced to live in shanty dwellings, consisting of kerosene tins and bags on the land from where the rocks were taken to build the gaol near Lake Parramatta, extending north past the Uniting Church. Many were returned soldiers from World War 1. They still had pride and named their huts after the encounters they had fought in overseas. Possiers, Gallipoli, Flanders are some I can recall.

11.Tell us about the changes in North Rocks.

Some of the changes such as some of the roads which have been mentioned have progressed very quickly, whilst one of the changes in which the Government has been involved is the expressway to Richmond which has been going on since 1915. In 1920 the Main Roads Department had notified my parents that they were resuming 3/4 of an acre of land to build the expressway. That's now the Castlereagh F2, which has not been started, and may not be for a long time. Had the project proceeded then, the cost would have been considerably less than the many millions that is spoken of today. We older people appreciate the convenience of this modern era - especially with transport.

Another instance in which change has occurred slowly is in 1930, we had a "fisho" call every week, a butcher every week and a baker every day. The milko, no, as every second person had a cow. Now in 1992 we receive a notice from the baker saying "no further deliveries", milk is now twice a week, for the meat and fish you must go now to the shops. Is that progress? It's certainly not service.

Produce used to be taken to Sydney by horse drawn wagon and now these days trucks, semi-trailers have taken over this job. Possibly the thing we notice most is the closeness of the homes, after being used to open space and paddocks.

12. What do you miss about the past?

I think the friendliness that existed in the early days was outstanding, as people had more time to share with other people. We just helped and supported one another. We also miss the open space that once existed.