The finishing touches have finally been placed on the Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence, and as dusk settles over Glenorie, the new lighting brings the project to life in a way words can barely capture. The soft up-lights cast a warm glow across the stonework, highlighting not just craftsmanship, but the pride of a community determined to honour its past.
Local stonemason Karl from Aussie Stonemasons has left an unmistakable mark on the precinct. His sandstone carvings—detailed, textured and unmistakably tied to the region’s geology—stand as a testament to the area’s heritage. Each piece tells a fragment of Glenorie’s story, forming a visual narrative that weaves the past into the present. The fence now reads like an open-air gallery, a reminder of the families, labour and legacy that shaped the district.
In nearby Wal Buckingham Park, Hornsby Shire Council’s efforts are also coming into their own. The newly laid mower strip and turf, along with consistent watering throughout the hotter months, have transformed the space into a lush green corridor. Council’s preparation of the community pavers outside the Glenorie Memorial Hall is progressing steadily, with hopes the final touches will be completed by the year’s end—another milestone in a suburb refusing to let its community roots fade.
The excitement is building for what will be a major moment on the local calendar: the Official Grand Opening Day, scheduled for Sunday 15 February 2026. Residents are already being encouraged to mark it in their diaries, with a gala celebration planned to formally unveil the completed heritage precinct. Before then, the community will gather for a final event of the year—a Christmas celebration coinciding with the last General Meeting of 2025 on Thursday 11 December at the Glenorie RSL Club. Those unable to attend can join online via the Glenorie Progress Association’s website.
As Glenorie reflects on its present accomplishments, it continues to look back on the families that helped build the township—none more so than the Hughes family, whose story spans convicts, orchards, churches and community leadership.
