Forrest Hill resident Libby Rouse reflects on grandparents' solid foundations

Gerald was a solicitor who, along with Charlie Griffith, developed Forrest Hill, a beautiful housing estate in Albury. The survey was conducted in 1927 by Gerald's brother-in-law Saxil Tuxen, of Melbourne. According to the original plan, the estate comprised "76 magnificent building allotments". The original homestead, now situated in Fellowes Crescent, was built and owned by the Edmondson family. As legend goes, when the estate was first conceived the townspeople proclaimed "Oh no, it will not work! It's too far away from town and what's more, it's on a hill!".

My grandparents' house was built in 1930. As a wedding present my great grandmother surprised my grandmother with a garden designed by Edna Walling. It was a beautiful, rambling garden with free stone paths, hedges and a stunning rock fence. The garden was featured in The Border Morning Mail (January 27, 1987) under the headline Creating a magical mystery garden. There was the wonderful Lorraine Lee rose, the lemon-scented magnolia and the twisting Wisteria climbing up into the trees.

Walling was very ambitious for my grandparents' garden. My grandmother refused to include several large trees in the plan. Poplars were planted at intervals along the border fence and then removed in the late 1950s after causing havoc with the town's sewer system.

My grandmother loved that garden and I, fortunately, spent a considerable amount of time in it. It gave incredible solace and joy. Not only in admiring and tending but in preparing for festive occasions. I remember my grandmother getting the Christmas lights put up. Each year she would hire and have the "party lights" installed. Strands of big multi-coloured bulbs draped around the massive liquid amber, the tulip tree and others.

The garden was not only heavenly-scented and beautiful but it was productive; there were citrus and stone fruit trees and a delicious strawberry patch.

My grandmother was a keen cook. Chicken Maryland and Spanish creams were standard and heavily-citrused barley water when we were ill. Peppermint cream chocolates were delivered throughout town as thank-you gifts. Meringues and Pavlova were specialities along with strawberry ice cream made with berries from the patch.

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In 1970 my grandparents bought a Torana. A fun, sporty coupe with white exterior and burgundy interior. Affectionately known as "The Bat" courtesy of the state-issued number plate, we used to race around town and country urging Nan to "go faster". The Bat was prone to travel with items on the rooftop. One day, very sadly, the Pavlova did not make it to its intended destination and all at Bungowannah missed out!

I am lucky enough to have a remnant of my grandparents' garden in my own. A Murray River Cypress-pine; an Albury local and Australian native. A majestic tree of about 90 years old, these trees can live up to 200. It is beautifully healthy and established and is possibly one of the oldest remaining trees within the area. I admire the tree daily and hope that others in the area do too.

My house was built in 1949. My mother tells me where the Stedman chook house and veggie patch used to be, across the road and up the hill, now occupied by houses.

In 2010 the estate was deemed the Forrest Hill Conservation Area, a local government heritage area, according to the Albury Development Control Plan. As stated in the plan, the estate boasts "mature gardens and street trees". As a resident, I would say it is one of the most beautiful areas of Albury, close to the bush with some stunning art deco houses that continue to be preserved. The Forrest Hill Conservation Area aims to conserve and enhance residential streetscapes and to preserve significant landscape elements. In owning property and gardens in this area, we should keep these points in mind; not only for ourselves but for future generations and the ongoing conservation and preservation of our history.

We are here only briefly, we should do our best.