12th September 2026. Edition One. In this edition:
President's Report,
What the Civic Trust did in August / September 2026,
Ahimsa Event, Beecroft Orchestra,
Beecroft Rotary Diwali. Parramatta what's on Guide,
Native Plants sale, M2RAG Update, STEP Newsletter
Local Justice of the Peace,
Civic Trust Facebook page,
Julian Leeser MP September newsletter,
Monica Tudehope Newsletter,
Hornsby Shire Council's News Bulletin,
Parramatta Council's News Bulletin, Recent Development Applications.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Saturday September 19, Ahimsa exhibition and event, 67 Cobran Road, Cheltenham.
Saturday September 19, Native Plants Sale, Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden.
Sunday September 20, Beecroft Orchestra, Cheltenham Girls High.
Sunday October 25, Beecroft Rotary Diwali, Hannah's Beecroft.
President's Report Spring has arrived and with it, many outdoor activities from organised sporting communities to casual walking in our surrounding bushland.
I wish to draw your attention to a special event being organised on Saturday 19th September. The Civic Trust in conjunction with the National Trust and the Friends of Ahimsa will be celebrating the life of former Cheltenham resident, Marie Byles, at her property Ahimsa in Cheltenham. Marie Byles was the first woman solicitor in NSW and was also a founding member of our Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust.
In this eNews there are details of the day’s activities including a walk in the morning, a midday tour of Ahimsa, and an afternoon movie screening of Marie’s life at the Cheltenham Recreational Club.
Everyone is welcome to attend, for all, or just some events.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday 19th September
What the Civic Trust did in July / August 2026 Spring Walk - 23 August 2026 The Civic Trust’s annual Spring Walk was held on a sunny Sunday afternoon, the 23 August 2026. A group of about 27 walkers gathered at Beecroft railway station ready to explore the theme of the walk “2119: an alternate history”. The walk was ably led by Rod Best, a noted historian and former resident with a fascinating knowledge of the past residents of Beecroft and Cheltenham.
One of the highlights as the group ambled down Copeland Rd East was to hear the origin of the LJ Hooker real estate company. Les Hooker was born in Canterbury in 1903 and the family moved to Beecroft in 1910. Leslie Hookin (the family was of Chinese heritage) attended Beecroft Primary School. If you missed the walk, you can read more about his life CLICK HERE.
The walk continued up Wongala Crescent and then back to Hannah St along Beecroft Rd. Near the entrance to Arden School, the Blue Plaque honouring Dr Mark Cowley Lidwill was noted. Dr Lidwell was a general practitioner at Cook House (then called 'Lorne'), Beecroft. He invented the world's first cardiac pacemaker and a portable machine to induce anaesthesia. To read more CLICK HERE.
Rod Best also drew attention to Ottumwa, a home on Beecroft Rd where Herbert Vere "Doc" Evatt and his wife lived between 1929 and 1931. Surely one of Beecroft’s most distinguished residents, Doc Evatt was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Australia in 1930. As a prominent Labor politician, he later served as Minister for Foreign Affairs during the war and played a key post-war role in establishing the United Nations (UN). To read more CLICK HERE.
65D Malton Rd
The Trust, along with many others, submitted an objection to the latest development application for a battleaxe lot of over half a hectare of uncleared land along Byles Creek.
The Trust believes the land, with major access constraints, should be rezoned open space as part of the Byles Creek corridor.
The development application was withdrawn following consideration by Hornsby Council. Wongala Crescent Development
At long last a footpath has emerged in front of the new development on Wongala Crescent. The impediments experienced by passers-by, buses, and local traffic on the road and most importantly the adjoining businesses should now ease.
Chapman Ave Development
The saga surrounding this particularly hazardous intersection persists. Two years ago the pavement on this corner was removed and replaced by hoardings. Children walking to school have to carefully navigate their way around this intersection to avoid motor vehicles. The project has been stalled for over 6 months. In the past 6 months, the only worker seen on this site was a person removing some of the previously installed form-work for concrete pouring. The Trust continues to seek answers from Hornsby Council and we have been informed there will be some answers this week.
The Civic Trust is Concerned About this New DA Plan Community consultation for many development applications is changing from 1 September 2026 under the NSW Government's new Statewide Community Participation Plan, which will reduce opportunities for residents to provide feedback on some local proposals. CLICK HERE for more information about this new plan
Visit AHIMSA Day, Saturday 19 September 2026
bushwalks - exhibition - heritage bushwalking gear – film showing
Bushwalks - 9.15 – 11.30 Heritage walk from Thornleigh station to Ahimsa (6km)
11.00 – 11.30 Short walk from Cheltenham station to Ahimsa (1 km)
Exhibition - 11.30 – 13.30 Marie Byles exhibition & picnic lunch at Ahimsa
13.00 – 14.00 Short guided bushwalks around Ahimsa
14.00 -- Walk to Cheltenham Recreation Club
Film show - 15.00 – 17.00 Refreshment & ‘A Singular Woman’ (Cheltenham Club)
Organised by Friends of Ahimsa with assistance from the National Trust of Australia, Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust, & National Parks Association
For more detailed information about the day CLICK HERE
For more information about the Heritage Bushwalk CLICK HERE
Beecroft Orchestra Beecroft Orchestra has a Spring treat for you on 20th September at 2:30 in the Performance Hall of Cheltenham Girls High School.
Gregory van der Struik Principal Trombone and Section Leader in the Opera Australia Orchestra Gregory will be the trombone soloist and will be accompanied by the Beecroft Orchestra playing Gottfried Finger’s Sonata for Trombone and Strings and Lars Eric Larsson’s Concerto for Trombone and Strings.
The program will finish with Catherine LIkhuta’s Twelfth Night Overture, Franz Schubert’s Eighth Symphony and Camille Saint-Saens Danse Bachanale.
Beecroft Rotary Diwali at Hannah's
Celebrate the Festival of Lights like never before at Beecroft Rotary Diwali Party Sunday 25 October 6 to 8:30pm at Hannah’s Beecroft. CLICK HERE for more information.
Guide to What's on in September There are many attractions in Parramatta this September, CLICK HERE for the September guide.
NATIVE PLANTS SALE - 19 SEPTEMBER 2026 North Shore Group
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
Saturday 19 September
at CALEY’S PAVILION Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden
420 Mona Vale Rd St Ives
10am to 2pm
Tube stock $5 Larger pots $10
Native orchids as priced
There will be activities for kids while you browse the huge selection of native plants for sale. Friendly APS NSG members can help you with your selection.
Morning tea will be available. https://austplants.com.au/North-Shore
M2RAG September 2026 Update(M2 Residents Action Group) By Ray Gerke
Coordinator M2 Residents Action Group
An interesting article From Yahoo News: Aussie drivers face new road noise rules as fines 'double' to $1,200 Tougher noise laws are now in force, with drivers facing fines of up to $1,200 for excessive vehicle noise. Excessive vehicle noise can now attract significantly higher penalties under the strengthened regulations. Source: Getty Images/Intelligent Instruments
To read the full article in Yahoo News CLICK HERE
Community-based Environmental Conservation
STEP's September / October newsletter can be viewed HERE
Civic Trust Membership Subscriptions If you have lived in Beecroft Cheltenham for any length of time, you would have seen many changes. While change is inevitable, the Trust will continue to be the voice of our local community.
It is only because we have the strength of numbers that we are able to influence change. Annual membership for 2026 is only $20.
To join the Trust. CLICK HERE.
Local Justice of the Peace Timothy Abrams, can be contacted on 0417 662 405
Dr. Penelope Crossley, can be contacted on 0449 232 474.
Civic Trust Facebook page
Every now and then the Trust’s Facebook Page writes up achievements of local and interesting people who live in the area of postcode 2119.
The Facebook page also highlights weekly happenings and items of interest for residents in the Hornsby Shire and Parramatta area.
Julian Leeser MP. September Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE for Newsletter.
Monica Tudehope MP. August / September Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE Update on the Traffic Lights at Beecroft Rd and Kirkham Street. CLICK HERE
Hornsby Shire Council's September News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's September News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
Recent Development Applications The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust's web site now has links to recently submitted Development Applications in the 2119 postcode area for both Hornsby and Parramatta Shire Councils. This page will be updated with every eNews publication. CLICK HERE To access them.
Objections to Development Applications and other correspondence with council can be viewed CLICK HERE
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust eNews.
The eNews has become our main method for disseminating information to the community. We already send the eNews to many of our residents. We encourage residents who receive the eNews to tell their neighbours and friends and suggest they too subscribe. The eNews letter is available to all who subscribe. Trust Membership is not a requirement.
The eNews archives are available CLICK HERE. To subscribe to the eNews: CLICK HERE.
There is an active Civic Trust Facebook page; to view it CLICK HERE.
The Trust will assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
