Perched atop a plateau, cradled by wooded valleys, lies Westleigh. Westleigh’s story began long before the houses, before the paved roads, with the Dharug people. They were the first to call this place home, to know the whispers of the wind through the trees, the secrets held within the valley’s embrace. Westleigh still holds remnants of this past, a reminder of a time when nature reigned supreme. Many of the original trees remain, their branches reaching towards the sky. The names of the streets, like Stringybark Close and Spotted Gum Road, echo the area’s natural heritage.
In 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip and his party ventured into this territory, their footsteps marking the beginning of European exploration. They likely traversed the ridge where Duffy Avenue now stands, their eyes taking in the vast expanse of bushland. Settlers followed in the 1830s, drawn by the promise of a new life. Names like James Milson, Patrick Duffy, John Thorn, and Samuel Horne became intertwined with the land’s history. Duffy Avenue, a vital artery into Westleigh, traces its origins back to a dispute over access to Patrick Duffy’s 100-acre grant.
For years, Westleigh remained a tapestry of orchards and bushland. The 1960s ushered in an era of transformation, as residential development began to reshape the landscape. Max Ruddock, the president of Hornsby Council, suggested the name “Westleigh” in 1967, a moniker that would soon become synonymous with suburban life. Westleigh’s growth continued steadily from 1968, each new house adding a chapter to the suburb’s evolving story. The layout of the roads, primarily cul-de-sacs, was a deliberate choice to minimize through traffic, creating a tranquil atmosphere for residents. Duffy Avenue and Quarter Sessions Road remain the main thoroughfares, connecting Westleigh to the wider world.
Today, Westleigh offers a unique blend of suburban living and natural beauty. The bushland that surrounds the suburb provides a haven for wildlife, a reminder of the area’s rich ecological heritage. However, this proximity to nature also brings with it the ever-present threat of bushfires. The residents, deeply connected to their surroundings, have advocated for an alternative route into the suburb, recognizing the potential dangers of relying solely on Duffy Avenue. Westleigh, a suburb born from the bushland, continues to evolve, its story woven into the fabric of Sydney’s Upper North Shore.