Sydney couple promised a hospital in their suburb more than 50 years ago

RAWSON and Cecily Humphris were promised a new hospital in their northern beaches suburb when they moved in. More than 50 years later work has finally begun.

• More granny flats coming to Warringah
• Devlopers targetting Frenchs Forest
• Toyko-style homes for inner Sydney

RAWSON and Cecily Humphris have been waiting more than half a century for a hospital in Frenchs Forest.

When the couple moved into the suburb in 1961 they were given a brochure itemising why Frenchs Forest was such an attractive area to live in.

On the list was the statement that Frenchs Forest was the “site for a new hospital right in the centre of the area”.

The couple bought land in the northern half of the suburb for £1650 and built their home.

They watched schools being built and a new shopping centre go up. The local drive-in was already doing business. But the hospital never materialised.

“It was printed in the brochure but we thought it was never going to happen,” Mrs Humphris said.

The couple remember the dirt track that was Weardon Rd; the long cord that was their home’s electricity supply before power was connected to their block; and the chook farms in the area.

“They were still building the school at Wakehurst Parkway when we arrived,” Mrs Humphris said.

“And they were building the Arndale Centre — which is now Forest Way shopping Centre.”

The couple kept the fold-up brochure which they received
from their real estate agent, Stewart Upton, which trumpeted all the attractions of Frenchs Forest.

It was headed, “French’s Forest, easy to reach, hard to resist!” Mrs Humphris added.

Only now is the hospital in Frenchs Forest being built. The 488 bed-hospital is due to open in 2018 on a 6.5ha site in the heart of the suburb.