PhotographerPerumal Murphy Wu Pty LtdDetails'Gilligaloola' is an outstanding early Federation Heritage listed mansion and can claim to be one of the grandest houses in the area.
It features a complex plan and roof form, face brick walls and a corrugated iron roof. Outstanding features are unusual brick chimneys, small square tower, gables shingled, double-hung windows with rendered lintels and projecting sandstone sills. Substantial part of interior is original.
Modifications: Reconstructed in 1992, fabric replaced, including new roofing. Unsympathetic high brick fence.
Historical Notes: Built in 1893 for Norman Selfe and reputedly designed by him. He was a consulting engineer and President of the RAHS in 1902. The suburb Normanhurst was named after him. His two daughters Rhoda and Norma were the first Australian female graduates of the Montessori teaching method. Norman Selfe died in 1911. His daughter Norma lived in the house until her death in 1978. The building was built around a weatherboard cottage which already stood on the site. An orchard extended to the railway line. There was also a tennis court and a formal Italian style garden with a sundial. A picket fence marked the main road boundary. The carriage entrance was to the northern boundary.Date takenFebruary 21 1992LocationNormanhurstGeotag[1] KeywordsNormanhurstNorman SelfeGilligaloolaPennant Hills RoadCumberland HighwayHistoric houses and buildingsHouses
