Philippa O'Leary Park

Details

Identifiernot specifiedPhotographernot specifiedDescriptionPhilippa O'Leary Park is located in Hinemoa Avenue, Normanhurst. The land was donated to Hornsby Shire Council by Philippa Perpetua Catherine O'Leary (1934-2002) to be used as a public garden and recreation area for the benefit of the community.

Philippa O’Leary was born June 27, 1934, the only child of Philip Patrick and Noeline Dora O’Leary. Philip O’Leary was born in London in 1896 and was of Irish descent. He was a Master Mariner who settled in Sydney and married Noeline Dora Devlin in 1927 in Woollahra. Philip and Noeline O’Leary resided in Rose Bay until they moved to Normanhurst in 1939.
The O'Leary Family moved to Normanhurst in 1939 when Hinemoa Avenue was just a dirt track with only eight houses and where cows grazed among the trees in the surrounding pear orchards.
Philippa O’Leary was educated at Loreto Normanhurst, she made her debut in 1951 at the Loreto Annual Ball and achieved a Batchelor of Arts from Sydney University in 1954. She was appointed as a library assistant (Professional Division) in the Government Gazette in July 1954 and spent her working life as a librarian.
Philippa and her family had a deep love for and affinity with animals. They created a home and garden with many pets and where all animals were welcome. They believed it was only "one step removed from heaven".

Many neighbourhood children were attracted to the wide range of animals kept on the property. The site became well known to generations of children who would announce they were going to Philippa's Place. The playground opened in 2005. Philippa’s animals were the inspiration for the mosaic in the park.

Reflecting on the house and garden where she lived for most of her life, Philippa wrote that "nothing could replace the companionship of a wide diversity of animals and the freedom of owning a block of land where one can take a walk and still be in one's own property."

Noeline Dora O’Leary died in Normanhurst on October 14, 1962. Philip Patrick O’Leary died in Normanhurst on January 20, 1987, age 90 years and Philippa Perpetua O’Leary died in Normanhurst on January 7, 2002, age 67 years.

Philippa is remembered by locals and others as she was often seen on Pennant Hills Road in the 1950s and early 60s driving her mother to Wahroonga Station in a horse and sulky. Unfortunately, it seems, she was never photographed doing so.

Remembered by many as a generous woman - Philippa was a friend and carer of all beings.

Physical FormatNormanhurst

Location

Building NamePhilippa O'LearyParksNormanhurstHinemoa AvenueStreet:StreetView:&enabled=0&fov=90&heading=0&pitch=0&zoom=18

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Philippa O'Leary Park