News

Harrington Estates is fortunate to have restored three historic homesteads in the area – Harrington Park House in Harrington Park, Catherine Park House in Catherine Park Estate and Orielton Homestead in Harrington Grove. Undertaking these historically sensitive restorations has involved significant commitment but the rewards for the local community will continue for decades to come.

All streets in Catherine Park Estate take their names from honourary Australians who made a difference to the life, culture and values of modern-day society.

Thea Beatrice May Astley AO (25 August 1925 – 17 August 2004) was a highly awarded novelist and short story writer whose works were distinctly Australian. She was awarded 4 Miles Franklin Awards, won the Patrick White Award and was granted an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland. She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1992 and a Creative Fellow of the Australia Council in 1993.

Each phase of life is punctuated by a range of different settings and mind frames. There is the energy of youth, the calming of the adult years and the deceleration of the twilight years, all of which come with a range of special requirements. At the top of the list is one’s home, essentially the basis for everything else to follow.

In the later years, there is nothing more comforting than a home that serves instead of being served. While a large home on a grand property can be charming during child-rearing years, it can become a burden decades later when the number of people utilising it and the energy to maintain it fade.

She is marking nine months living in Catherine Park Estate and has continued to go from strength to strength in her new home adjacent to the Kensington precinct. Fifi, the Ficus Hillii Fig tree that officially moved in March this year, will be spending her first Christmas in Catherine Park Estate like so many other residents who have also moved in throughout the year.

Originally a resident of the Central Coast, Fifi was planted in autumn, braved the cold of winter, warmed up throughout spring and will now see out her first Catherine Park Estate Summer.

Catherine Park Estate recently celebrated Christmas in the most festive fashion. On Thursday 6 December, residents and Harrington Estates staff gathered at the newly completed Robbins Park to celebrate the festive season.  

The growth of the community throughout 2018 meant that the turnout was fantastic, with many old and new residents coming along to bask in the festive spirit. The mood was jovial and cheerful as residents mingled with old friends and met new neighbours as well.