Hills Voices Online

Episode 27 Changing Shire: Former Council Engineer – John Barker

In this episode, we talk with John Baker, who worked for many years as the Council Engineer at Baulkham Hills Shire Council and saw the area change from farmland into a busy urban community. From subdivisions and industrial growth to the M2, Norwest Business Park, and modern civic facilities, Barker shares an insider’s view of the engineering, challenges, and rapid change that shaped today’s Hills Shire.

Episode 26 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor & Mayor – Sonya Phillips

In this episode, Sonya reflects on her long career helping shape The Hills Shire, from stabilising finances and modernising services to heritage projects, and major initiatives like the eastern ring road and the Shire’s renaming. She shares what the Council was like in the 1990s, key political moments, her charity work, her support for The Hills Libraries, and the challenges of being a councillor and Mayor.

Episode 25 Changing Shire: Former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor Geoff Brooke-Cowden

In this episode, we interviewed former Baulkham Hills Shire Mayor, Councillor Geoff Brooke‑Cowden, who reflected on his medical career, his experiences living in Baulkham Hills, his time on the Council, and the contributions he made to the community.

Episode 24 Changing Shire – Former Baulkham Hills Shire Council Councillor Les Shore

This episode features the late Les Shore, former Baulkham Hills Shire Councillor and President, talked about his early life in Glenorie, his role as Castle Hill Public School Principal, and his contributions to the local community.

Episode 23 Changing Suburbs: West Pennant Hills – Jack Smith

In this episode, West Pennant Hills resident Jack Smith takes us on a time travel journey back to the 1930s. Jack shares stories about his family, his parents, and the local farms, shops and many other aspects of the local life. Through his recollections, we learn how West Pennant Hills has evolved over the years.