FRENCHS FOREST IS MY HOME

FRENCHS FOREST

• I’ve lived here since I was 18months old and I love it.
• My Dad also moved here as a young boy.
• This is a photo of the pipeline being laid down in Davidson in the 30s.
• As you can see, nothing but trees.
• My granny says that living in FF in those days was like living on the moon.

One of the places I recommend for newcomers is Glenrose Shopping Centre. It’s definitely a good place to eat. My favourite place to eat? The noodles at
MOMOKKO!

In the 1940s and 50s in the bush near where Glenrose is today there was a camp. But this wasn’t any old camp- it was a nudist camp!
Actually it was the biggest nudist camp in the whole of Australia, with hundreds of people living there nude!
The police often visited to check that everything was OK and no one was breaking the law. At least that’s what the police said...maybe they really just wanted to look at the naked people or even do a little bit of
nuding up themselves. By the way, Ashworth Av was named after John Ashworth, the leader of the nudists.

Another place I recommend is Lionel Watts Reserve. It’s a really popular venue for soccer, footy, netball and cricket. At one end of LW is the dog park, which is a great place for dogs to run around and play off leash. Of course it’s also the place where the Mimosa fireworks are held.

My Dad says that until about 25 years ago the dog park was much more a place for horses. At the other end of LW it is an interesting area with a library, theatre
and gym. Until about 40 years ago it was just bush.

Fortunately, FF is still surrounded by nature and one of the best ways to enjoy it is to go to the Cascade Track, near Stone Parade, in Davidson. This goes through Garigal National Park, which is named after the Aboriginal tribe who were the first to live in this area, and is perfect for walking, running or mountain biking.

If you’re quiet and watchful you can often see wallabies or even an echidna. If you continue on the track in the direction of Roseville Bridge, you come to Bungaroo, a very quiet spot deep in the valley between Davidson and St Ives. Governor Philip spent a night here back in 1788: the very first Europeans to explore our neighbourhood.

THANK YOU!