Dr James Broadbent speaks on the history of Mulgoa Valley - 150 Years Speaker Series

Dr James Broadbent, AO, speaks on behalf of the Friends of Fernhill and Mulgoa Valley. His topic is the History of Mulgoa Valley.

He speaks about: The first family in Mulgoa was Luttrell who received land grants. He was unsuccessful, corrupt and went bankrupt. His 7208 acres were sold to Cox family. Henry Cox was based in Mulgoa, sold his Glenmore estate to brother Alfred, who not long after sold to Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, who sold it in 1854 to John James Riley. Riley became first Mayor of Penrith Municipal Council. He added extra wing and conducted improvements to Glenmore Estate. In 1891 it was open for lease possibly due to depression (JJ Riley had died, daughters lived there doing voluntary community work), It did not sell, and became a select school for young ladies in 1904. It sold around 1920 to Charles Holswich and Donald Hattersely,

Hattersely bought him out and sold portions of the estate. What was left around 1929 was made into a golf course with the estate still there. Glenmore Country Club bought the 190 hectares in 1937. 1947 it was bought by Ireni Woodland of Penrith. It was leased for years after and got into some disrepair and loss of intricate decoration. Now owned by NSW State Government with intention to became a community place in future.