Identifiernot specifiedDatec1979Photographernot specifiedKeywordsLilian FrasergardensPennant HillsBellamy StreetDescriptionLilian Fraser was born in 1908 at Kurrajong. The family moved to Pennant Hills after her father Charles purchased the Hopetoun poultry farm in Bellamy Street sometime between 1915 and 1920.
Over the years much of the original farm was sold off as residential lots but almost an acre was kept for gardens surrounding the house. The present garden covers 3,426 square metres.
Lilian Fraser lived on the property for most of her life. The third qualified female biologist in Australia, she joined the Department of Agriculture in 1940 to work on citrus crops.
During a career spanning 33 years Dr Fraser made many significant contributions to world knowledge of citrus diseases. She travelled extensively in Australia and overseas, spending her holidays exploring bushland for new plant and disease specimens.
Following the death of her mother Dr Fraser became more involved in the gardens surrounding the house, growing a wide range of plants.
As trees and shrubs matured the garden evolved into the woodland it is today. Among the wide range of plants are some that are very special for their size or rarity.
As she approached old age with no immediate family, Dr Fraser offered her garden to Hornsby Shire Council. Her final wish was for her garden to be enjoyed as a public garden and park. She died in 1987, aged 79, and her legacy continues to live on. Physical FormatPhotograph
