Gilligaloola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilligaloola |
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Gilligaloola-1.jpg)
Gilligaloola, pictured in July 2016.
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| Location | 82-84 Pennant Hills Road, Normanhurst, Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1893 |
| Built for | Norman Selfe |
| Architect | Norman Selfe (involvement in design) |
| Official name: Gilligaloola | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 271 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Gilligaloola is a special house in Normanhurst, Australia. It is listed on the heritage register, meaning it is an important historical place.
This beautiful home is located at 82-84 Pennant Hills Road. It was built in 1893. The famous engineer Norman Selfe was involved in its design. Gilligaloola was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
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History of Gilligaloola
Gilligaloola was built in 1893 for Norman Selfe. It sat on a large property of 14 acres. The land also had lovely Italian gardens and fruit orchards.
Norman Selfe was a very important civil engineer. The suburb of Normanhurst was even named after him! We don't know who the exact architect or builder was. However, many details of the house suggest that Selfe himself helped design it.
Who was Norman Selfe?
Norman Selfe was a brilliant engineer who helped build modern Sydney. He was born in England in 1839 and came to Sydney in 1855. He worked on many big projects across New South Wales.
Selfe designed machinery for ships and even the first ferry boats with propellers at both ends. He also created the first ice machines in the colony. He brought the first lifts, or elevators, to New South Wales.
Norman Selfe was also a leader in education. He started the first school for technical training in New South Wales in 1865. He worked hard to improve Sydney's port and transport systems. He even designed a bridge for North Sydney, which was highly praised.
Protecting Gilligaloola
In 1981, people became worried about the future of Gilligaloola. There was a plan to divide the property into smaller blocks of land. This would have placed new buildings very close to the historic house.
The Heritage Council of New South Wales stepped in to help. They decided to protect the property. On December 16, 1983, a special order was placed on Gilligaloola. This order made sure the house and its remaining gardens would be preserved.
Description of Gilligaloola
Gilligaloola is a grand house with a rich history. It still has parts of its original garden. The mature trees are easy to spot and are a well-known feature in the area.
The Garden and Trees
A huge Norfolk Island pine tree stands over 25 meters tall. It is a famous landmark along Pennant Hills Road. This tree likely dates back to around 1890.
The garden also has a beautiful weeping cedar tree, about 13 meters high. It was planted around the 1940s. There is also a line of olive trees and a tall palm tree in the back garden.
The Buildings
Gilligaloola is made up of two parts. The first part is an older, two-story farmhouse made of timber. It has wooden floors and sits on brick supports.
The second part is a two-story brick house, added in 1893. This section has lovely verandahs on three sides. It also features a large tower. The upper floor is decorated with wooden shingles.
The house has many beautiful details inside. These include five-paneled doors and fancy marble fireplaces. The chimneys are designed in the Arts and Crafts style. The house also has high-quality decorative woodwork.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, some changes have been made to Gilligaloola:
- 1991: The gutters, downpipes, and roof carpentry were repaired. The outside of the house was repainted. The back verandah was relined and refloored. Some brickwork was also fixed.
- September 1992: Approval was given to build a garage on the northern corner of the property.
Heritage Significance
As of 2013, Gilligaloola is very important to the history of New South Wales. It was the family home of Norman Selfe, a key engineer and inventor from the 1800s. The suburb of Normanhurst was named after him.
Built in 1893, Gilligaloola is an impressive two-story house. It has beautiful Art Nouveau details and a unique architectural style. The design suggests that Norman Selfe himself played a part in creating this special home.
Gilligaloola was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Images for kids
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Gilligaloola, pictured in July 2016.
