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Seven Hills

Timeline for Seven Hills — Lalor Park

1791	George Best and John Pye Snr. arrive in N.S.W. Both were given land grants in Seven Hills in 1796.
1794	Old Windsor Road constructed.
1795	Matthew Pearce and his family were granted 160 acres of land at Seven Hills, which he named Kings Langley, after the village outside London where he was born. Matthew Pearce arrived in Sydney with his wife Martha Parker on board the "Surprize" in 1794.
1797	Hamilton Hume was born on the 19th June, on his father's Seven Hills property.
1801	John Macarthur buys Bella Vista land over 1700 acres from Joseph Foveaux, establishes wool industry. The farm was referred to by Elizabeth Macarthur as "My Seven Hills Farm."
1817	Seven Hills Road constructed.
1821	The Macarthurs' 'Seven Hills Farm' is returned to the Crown, Macarthur preferring property in the Cowpastures area.
1823	Former Seven Hills Farm began to be redistributed, 500 acres going to George Acres.
1831	Susannah Maria Ward received a 500 acre grant to the south of George Acres grant.
1832	Matthew Pearce died 28th December, aged 69.
1835	Matthew Woodward Pearce, son of Matthew Pearce, received 170 acres (part of Macarthurs' Seven Hills Farm).
1836	George Best died July 3rd, aged 78.
1837	James Robertson, a watchmaker in Sydney, received a grant of 500 acres (part of the Macarthurs' Seven Hills Farm).
1838	Robertson sold his 500 acres to Isabella Maria Acres.
1842	William Thomas Pearce (son of Matthew Pearce) bought the 500 acres (known now as Robertson's grant) from Isabella Acres. This land was developed and became the 'Bella Vista' property.
1860	Rail line from Sydney to Blacktown established.
1863	George Pearson Lalor married Katherine Comber at Marine Church, Sydney.A brick building was built serving as the Seven Hills Church of England school and a church.
1868	Seven Hills Post Office opened on November 1st, George Woodall was Pioneer Postmaster.
1869	Seven Hills Railway station was built.
1871	George Pearson Lalor buys 500 acres in Seven Hills. He had arrived in Victoria in 1857 and moved to Sydney six years later.
1878	Population of Seven Hills District about 400.
1880	St Andrews, Church of England, Seven Hills officially opened by Bishop Barker.
1883	Seven Hills North Public School opened with 88 pupils.
1884	Seven Hills North Public School building erected.
1887	Governor of N.S.W., Lord Carrington, visited Bella Vista property.
1889	Meadows Estate in Seven Hills, fruit growing district, was subdivided.
1890	The Meadows Public School opened, 3rd November.
1911	Seven Hills population 459.
1913	George Pearson Lalor died.
1914	St Peters Church in Seven Hills founded.George A. Lalor (son of George Pearson Lalor) was Blacktown Shire President from 1914 -1928 and 1930 —1937.
1917	The 'Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme' established by the Department of Lands on the Grantham Poultry Research Station site.
1923	Department of Agriculture established Grantham Poultry Station for research into the poultry industry.
1938	The Soldiers' Memorial Hall was built, from funds left over from monies raised for World War I servicemen, on land donated by Colonel Lucas.
1943	George A. Lalor sold his land to Mr Les Irwin. Louisa Lalor sold the remaining land to the Housing Commission.
1947	Seven Hills Housing Commission Estate began. Seven Hills population 901.
1949	The Soldiers' Memorial Hall started screening films, the hall was known as 'Seven Hills Theatre' and opening night was 12th October.
1950	The Pearce's Bella Vista property was purchased by North Sydney Brick and Tile Company and brickworks was established.
1953	Death of William Best, member of the Best pioneer family in Seven Hills.
1954	New Seven Hills Public School opened not far from Seven Hills Railway station. The old school was renamed Seven Hills North Public School. Star Theatre in Best Road, Seven Hills opened on the 7th September.
1958	Seven Hills West Public School opened. Housing Commission developed the Lalor land. Lalor Park was settled as a housing estate. Seven Hills-Toongabbie RSL Club opened.
1959	Seven Hills High School opened. Lalor Park Public School opened. Bert Oldfield Public School opened.
1960	Vardy's Road Public School opened.Seven Hills Regional Shopping Centre built. St Bernadette's Church and Catholic School opened in Lalor Park by Cardinal Gilroy on May 20th. Lynwood Park Public School opened, 365 children enrolled.
1962	Our Lady of Lourdes School, Seven Hills opened.
1966	Grantham High School opened originally known as Seven Hills South High School. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) store opened in Best Street, Seven Hills.
1967	Soldier's Memorial Hall badly damaged by fire. Public appeal was held to raise money for rebuilding.
1968	Blacktown Council opened a Children's Library at Lalor Park.
1974	The Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board purchased 13.63 ha of land/property (including the Bella Vista Complex).
1975	Grantham Reserve was officially opened on the 15th November.
1976	Seven Hills population 19,827. Lalor Park population 9,985.
1978	Radio 2WS begins broadcasting at Seven Hills.
1979	The Bella Vista Complex was placed under Interim Conservation Order by the Heritage Council of N.S.W.
1982	Lalor Park Branch Library's collection expanded to include adult resources.
1986	Grantham Poultry Research Station ceased operation.
1987	Soldiers Memorial hall demolished, opening of Seven Hills Community Centre.
1988	The new enlarged Lalor Park Branch Library officially opened on 27th April by Mayor Russ Dickens. Rotary Lakes Park, Seven Hills grand opening.
1992	New Seven Hills Police Station on the grounds of Seven Hills Primary School.
1996	Seven Hills population 17,709. Lalor Park population 9,022.
1998	Commonwealth Bank at Lalor Park closed 21st October.
2001	Radio Station 2WS relocated to North Ryde.
2002	Grantham High School renamed The Hills Sports High.
2002	Blacktown City Council acquires Grantham Poultry Research Station.
2004	Seven Hills School for Sensory Education renamed William Rose School.
2006	International Grocery retailing giant ALDI opened at Centro Seven Hills in June. A new Galloway Environmental Waste Plant in Seven Hills officially opened in October.
2007	NRMA's first Sydney based car-servicing shop officially opened in May in Seven Hills. The Waldon Gazebo at Orana Park officially opened on April 18.
2008	The Baptist Community Services Care Centre officially opened in May.
2009	Blacktown Council commences work to provide community access to the administration block of the former Grantham Poultry Research Station. A mural is painted at the Lalor Park shops. Demons Sports Club closes.
2010	Work commences on extensions to the commuter car park. Demons Sports Club reopens as Lily's Restaurant and Function Centre. Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation opens an information and research centre at Grantham Heritage Park. A mural is painted on a public housing block in Lalor Park. Blacktown & District Historical Society open a research centre at Grantham Heritage Park. Sustainability Education Centre opens at Grantham heritage Park. NSW Government announces plans to redevelop public housing in Seven Hills. Bunnings store opens in Abbott Road.
2011	Local Federal member, Michelle Rowland, opens an electoral office at 230 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills. New Christian community radio station, Inspire Digital, operates from its premises in Leabons Lane, Seven Hills.