Balcombe Heights Estate (Masonic Oval)

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Balcombe Heights Sportsground (Masonic Ovals) features two single sports fields with a synthetic cricket pitch located in the centre of each. The cricket pitches are covered in the winter.

Both are only small fields and best suited to local lower level sports. Touch football is played during the summer season on both fields and Soccer in Winter.

  • Match Play lighting
  • Kiosk
  • Change rooms for Field 1
  • The Shire's Main Skate Park (adjacent to Field 1)
  • There are BBQ and picnic facilities.
  • The main playground includes a liberty swing
  • Off-Leash Dog Fenced Area
  • War Memorial

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William Thompson Masonic School - Balcombe Heights Estate

Long before the idea was conceived of establishing a school for orphans or other children in need, the Lodge members of the Freemasons had established a charity devoted to those children. In 1918, William Thompson thought that the wide open spaces and rolling landscape of Baulkham Hills would be a good location to establish homes for children who had been orphaned or left in poor circumstances following World War I. The project was funded by the Masons.

On 11 November, 1922, (Armistice Day) the William Thompson Masonic School was opened. Fifty 'motor buses' helped transport 12,000 Masons and friends to the opening of the school.

During World War II the children were moved into the countryside and the buildings became the 103rd Australian General Hospital. The school reopened on November, 8, 1947 as the Masonic School and functioned as such until the 1970s. In December 1973 Council signed a contract to pay for the property over 3 years with the final payment being made in 1977.

Several of the original school buildings still exist including the dormitory buildings, classrooms, gymnasium, staff cottages and the Georgian Revival style central administration block. The main hall building was lost to fire and has now been replaced with a modern community hall suitable for hire.

Other historic elements such as the memorial tree avenue of Brush box (planted in memory of soldiers lost in the World War I), sundial, fishpond and memorial garden compliment the properties heritage. Today many of the buildings are hired by community groups.

 

War Memorial

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The War Memorial Pays tribute to the men who attended the former Masonic School at the Estate who went onto fight in the Second World War and the Vietnam conflict. There is a central monument and flagpole, with granite stone steps and paving. There is also a commemorative seat, with a garden of white roses, rosemary and westringias. 

Location

Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills 2153  View Map

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