NETHERBY HOMESTEAD AND MUSEUMS - May 26
On a rather sodden and drizzly Tuesday 27th May, 26 Members made the trip out to Galston for a tour of the 130-year-old Netherby Homestead, Machinery Sheds and Agricultural Museums.
Netherby is the original homestead built in 1900 as the family home for the Fagan family who owned a very large citrus orchard in the district. In 1980, this citrus orchard land, house and machinery sheds were transferred by the family and placed under a trusteeship with Hornsby Council for use by the community. Discover more: Historic Properties Netherby And The Fagans Of Galston.
The Council made it a bicentennial project to turn the land into a public park named Fagan Park. The homestead and machinery sheds are cared for by volunteers (Friends of Fagan) who restore machinery and carefully tend to the maintenance of the house.
The 'Smithie' heating tools over real coals
Everyone very much enjoyed the morning tea on the verandah under the grapevines and fortunately out of the drizzly weather. Following tea we split up into three groups and were led on tours of the house, machinery sheds and museums.
Most in the group had no idea that this little gem of history was even there. Many had been to Fagan Park but not Netherby. Well worth a visit.
