Why Cecil Hills? Judge-Advocate John Wylde chose the name back in 1817. He named it after his British property in Chestnut, Hertfordshire.
Cecil Hills is a suburb of Sydney. It sits 38 kilometres west of Sydney’s central business district. We are within the City of Liverpool. This area forms part of Greater Western Sydney.
In 1817, Governor Macquarie granted John Wylde 2,000 acres in the Parish of Cabramatta. Wylde only lived here briefly. He left to become Chief Justice of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
His wife Elizabeth stayed. She managed the Cecil Hills property until her death in 1864. The land remained a farm until the 1980s. Then, developers decided to build housing. The suburb of Cecil Hills was officially named in 1992. It includes part of the old Cecil Hills property and neighboring areas.
Let’s talk about Cecil Hills Farm. This farm has a rich history, dating back to colonial land grants. John Wylde received 810 hectares in 1817 from Governor Macquarie. He named it Cecil Hills after his home in Hertfordshire.
Wylde built the Cecil Hills farmhouse between 1818 and 1824. He acquired more land, eventually holding 1,450 hectares. The farm supplied large quantities of meat to the government. In 1818, Cecil Hills provided 2,720 kilograms of meat.
Wylde lived in the city for most of his time in the colony. He moved to Cecil Hills in 1824. This was when his post as Judge Advocate was abolished. He left Sydney in 1825.
Elizabeth, his wife, stayed at Cecil Hills with six children. She managed the farm for a time. In 1859, she became paralysed and the farm declined. Elizabeth died in 1864. She is buried in Liverpool Pioneers’ Memorial Park.
The Cecil Hills Farmhouse still stands on Sandringham Drive. It was restored after a 1992 heritage study. The house is a rare example of brick nog construction. This technique uses bricks to fill a wooden frame.
Consider the cultural makeup of Cecil Hills today. According to the 2021 census, the suburb has 6,906 residents. A little over half were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include Iraq, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
English is spoken at home by only 37.9% of people. Other languages include Arabic, Vietnamese and Assyrian Neo-Aramaic. Many residents identify as Catholic, followed by those with no religion, Buddhism, and Islam.
Cecil Hills High School opened in 1996. It offers a comprehensive curriculum. Cecil Hills Public School opened in 2003. Its uniform is navy blue and white.
Cecil Hills has come a long way from its farming roots. It is a vibrant community with a diverse population. It is a place where history meets modern life.