Seven Hills, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seven Hills Sydney, New South Wales
Established	1800
Postcode(s)	2147 (1730 for Seven Hills Post Office Boxes)
Elevation	45 m (148 ft)
Location	33 km (21 mi) north west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Blacktown City of Parramatta
Region	Greater Western Sydney
State electorate(s)	Prospect Winston Hills
Federal Division(s)	Greenway
Suburbs around Seven Hills: Lalor Park Kings Langley Bella Vista Blacktown Seven Hills Baulkham Hills Prospect Toongabbie Winston Hills

Seven Hills is a suburb in the Greater Western Sydney area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) north-west of the Sydney city center. Seven Hills is managed by two local councils: the City of Parramatta and Blacktown City councils.

What's in a Name?

The name 'Seven Hills' likely comes from Matthew Pearce, an early settler. In 1795, he received 160 acres (65 hectares) of land. He named his farm Kings Langley Farm. From his farm, he could see seven hills nearby.

These "seven hills" might have been places we know today with "hill" in their names, such as:

• Castle Hill
• Baulkham Hills
• Rooty Hill
• Prospect Hill
• Beaumont Hills
• Rouse Hill
• Constitution Hill

Even though the exact reason for the name isn't fully recorded, "Seven Hills" was commonly used by 1803. A newspaper, the Sydney Gazette, mentioned it when talking about flour being given out to people in "Castle Hill, Seven Hills and other outposts."

A Look Back in Time

Before Europeans arrived in the 1790s, the land of Seven Hills was home to Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. They were likely from the Warmuli and Toogagal clans, part of the larger Darug nation. Europeans first visited this area very early in the history of the New South Wales colony, possibly in 1788 or 1789.

The first land grant in this area was given to a former soldier, John Redmond, in 1793. His land was next to a path that later became Station Road. Many more land grants were given before 1800. Matthew Pearce received his 160 acres in 1795. He named it Kings Langley, after a place in England where he was thought to be born.

Around 1800, the area of Pearce's land became known as Seven Hills. This was because his farm was near the seventh hill along the road from Parramatta. Over time, the area called "Seven Hills" became smaller. By the 1900s, places like Bella Vista, Glenwood, and Parklea were no longer considered part of Seven Hills. Later, in the 1950s to 1970s, new suburbs like Lalor Park and Kings Langley were created from land that was once part of Seven Hills.

The railway line from Parramatta to Blacktown was finished in 1860. A train station platform was built in Seven Hills in 1869. In 1975, a road bridge was built over the railway line on Seven Hills Road, replacing an old level crossing.

Grantham Heritage Park: A Special Place

In 1897, William Chadwick bought some land and built a large house called "Melrose." Another smaller house, "Drumtochty," was built around 1890.

In 1901, John Rabone bought the property and started a poultry farm called "Grantham Poultry Stud." Later, in 1912, James Hadlington, a poultry expert for the government, took charge.

After World War I, Australia needed to help soldiers returning from the war find jobs. Hadlington suggested using the farm for a "soldier settlement" plan. The idea was that ex-servicemen, even those with injuries, could make a living by raising chickens. In 1917, the government bought the farm. Parts of it were divided into small 5-acre blocks for married soldiers, and the rest became a training farm called "Grantham State Poultry Farm."

At first, the soldiers lived in tents, but later, small houses were built for them and their families. However, it was hard for some to make enough money from farming, and some left the project. Over the years, the farms were used for other things or divided further. By the 1950s, none were used for poultry farming, though many successful poultry businesses were started by new migrants in the surrounding areas.

In 1923, the "Grantham State Poultry Farm" became a demonstration farm for the Department of Agriculture. From the 1940s, it became a research station, doing important work to improve poultry farming in Australia and other countries. It was renamed the Poultry Research Station in 1960.

By 1983, the research work started to slow down, and much of the land was sold for houses. The station closed in 1989.

In 2004, the remaining part of the estate, including "Melrose," "Drumtochty," and the old office building, was bought by the City of Blacktown. In 2008, a plan was announced to turn the area into "Grantham Heritage Park." This park is important because it has some of the last remaining original woodlands from the Cumberland Plain. It also has a memorial for the soldier settlers. Both Melrose and Drumtochty are now protected as heritage sites.

Important Historical Sites

Seven Hills has several places listed for their historical importance:

• 37-39 Roger Place: Dayton House
• 71 Seven Hills Road: Grantham Poultry Research Station
• 313 Seven Hills Road: St Andrew's Anglican Church

Who Lives Here?

Based on the 2021 census:

• The most common backgrounds are Australian (20.5%), English (19.1%), Indian (12.0%), Chinese (5.7%), and Irish (5.2%).
• 50.6% of people were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include India (12.2%), Sri Lanka (4.2%), Philippines (3.4%), China (2.5%), and New Zealand (2.0%).
• The most common religions are Catholic (23.1%), No Religion (19.9%), Hinduism (14.6%), and Anglican (8.5%).
• 49.5% of people speak only English at home. Other languages spoken include Tamil (6.0%), Punjabi (4.7%), Hindi (3.9%), Arabic (2.6%), and Mandarin (2.4%).

Shopping and Businesses

Seven Hills Plaza is a big shopping center in Seven Hills. It's located near Prospect Highway and the railway station. It first opened in 1960 as Seven Hills Regional Shopping Centre. The plaza still looks quite similar to how it did in the early 2000s.

North of the railway line, there are many industrial and business areas. The studios for the radio station Hope 103.2 FM and the NSW Fire Brigade Station are also in Seven Hills.

Homes and Neighborhoods

Seven Hills is mostly a residential area, meaning it has many homes. Streets like Florida Place show how houses have changed over time. Many older, smaller homes from the mid-20th century are being replaced by larger, two-story brick houses built in the 2000s.

Leabons Lane is an example of a street used for both homes and light businesses. It's a busy road that connects residential areas in south Seven Hills to Blacktown.

Getting Around

Seven Hills is a great place for transport in Western Sydney.

Sydney Trains offers regular train services from Seven Hills railway station to Central Station in about 34 minutes. Seven Hills railway station is a major hub on the North Shore & Western Line of the Sydney Trains network. It has over 2000 parking spaces for commuters, more than any other station in Western Sydney.

Major roads like the M2 Hills Motorway, M4 Motorway, and Westlink M7 connect Seven Hills to other parts of Sydney. The Prospect Highway and Seven Hills Road are also important roads within the suburb.

CDC NSW provides regular bus services to many places, including Sydney CBD, Macquarie Park, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Blacktown, Toongabbie, Pendle Hill, and Parramatta. Busways also runs services to Kings Langley. The 611 bus travels along the M2 Hills Motorway from Blacktown to Macquarie Park, with Seven Hills and Macquarie University as key stops. CDC NSW has two bus depots in Seven Hills.

Weather in Seven Hills

Schools in Seven Hills

Pre-schools There are at least six early learning centers in Seven Hills. Two of them are run by Blacktown City Council.

Primary schools

• Bert Oldfield Public School – A government school for Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School – A Roman Catholic school for Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Seven Hills Public School – A government school for Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Seven Hills North Public School – A government school for Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Seven Hills West Public School – A government school for Kindergarten to Year 6.
• The Meadows Public School – A government school for Kindergarten to Year 6.

Secondary schools

• The Hills Sports High School – A government high school for Years 7-12. It used to be called Grantham High School until 2001. This school has a special program for talented sports students.
• Seven Hills High School – A government high school for Years 7-10. Students from here often go on to Wyndham College for Years 11-12.

Special schools

• William Rose School [1] – A school for Kindergarten to Year 12. It helps students who have visual or hearing disabilities along with other disabilities, or who are Deafblind.

Famous People from Seven Hills

• Maureen Caird, an athlete.
• Steve Cummins, a rugby union player for the Melbourne Rebels.
• Glenn Druery, an Ultra Distance cycle racer.
• Blake Gaudry, an Olympian in 2012.
• Hamilton Hume, an early explorer.
• Felix Lee, a member of the K-pop group Stray Kids.
• Matt Moran, a famous chef.
• Nathan Rees, the 41st Premier of New South Wales.
• Sanford Wheeler, an Australian rules footballer.

Images for kids

• 

  "Melrose" in 2008

• 

  View of the restored "Melrose" taken from the east side looking west – 2015

• 

  A still existing soldier settlement house in 2010 – the outside looks almost the same.

• 

  This recreation reserve on Grantham Road remembers the soldier settlers.

• 

  The 1971 office block, now used by Blacktown City Council in 2010.

• 

  The cottage, "Drumtochty," – Grantham Heritage Park Seven Hills NSW after restoration.

• 

  The Heritage Park from Seven Hills Road South looking north, showing some of the remaining Cumberland Plains plants.

• 

  Florida Place

• 

  Leabons Lane

• 

  Seven Hills Railway Station looking west

• 

  Anzac Day commemoration in Seven Hills, 2008

See also

In Spanish: Seven Hills para niños