Fresh stonework now frames the entrance to Glenorie Memorial Hall, marking a tangible link between the district’s past and its future. Recently laid commemorative pavers have transformed the forecourt, with family names carefully positioned so they sit together, creating a quiet mosaic of local history beneath visitors’ feet. The work forms part of broader upgrades by Hornsby Shire Council, including improvements to the hall’s car parking, designed to make the well-used venue more accessible for the wider community.
The milestone comes as preparations continue for the official unveiling of the Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence, an addition that further reinforces the hall’s role as a focal point for remembrance and community life. The grand opening, scheduled for Sunday, 15 February 2026, will celebrate both the new works and the enduring spirit of Glenorie’s residents.
Alongside these physical changes, attention has also returned to one of the district’s most influential pioneering families, the Hughes clan, whose legacy remains woven through Glenorie’s social and civic fabric. Earlier accounts traced the contributions of the Hughes children, who established orchards, farms and sawmills, while playing a central role in the formation of local institutions, including the RSL club and the Glenorie Co-operative.
Their story extends strongly into Australia’s military history. Herbert Hughes served with the 1st Light Horse during the First World War, seeing action at Gallipoli and later in the Middle East between 1915 and 1919. A gifted local horseman, he was later selected as an outrider during the Prince of Wales’ visit in the 1920s, a point of pride remembered by successive generations.
That service has been actively honoured by members of the family who followed. Two nephews, Gordon Hughes and Neil Hughes, have represented the Light Horse at commemorative events across New South Wales, appearing in replica uniforms with period saddlery and equipment to keep the memory of earlier service alive.
Other members of the extended family also answered the call to serve. Neil Hughes Senior joined the Light Horse, George Hughes served during the Second World War, Ronald Hughes later saw service in Vietnam, and Edgar Neil was killed in action in the Second World War. Ronald Neil also served during that conflict, reflecting a multi-generational commitment that spans major chapters of Australia’s military history.
The strength of family ties was evident in 2005, when a Hughes family reunion was held at Glenorie Memorial Hall. Nineteen grandchildren of Thomas and Fannie Hughes attended, joined by more than 100 descendants, filling the hall with living connections to the district’s early years.
Today, many members of this pioneering family continue to live, work and study in the Hills Shire. As new pavers settle into place and heritage features are unveiled, Glenorie Memorial Hall stands not just as a building, but as a gathering point where local history, service and community pride continue to meet.
