John Curtin Reserve:
21 Huxley Drive WINSTON HILLS 2153
Facilities:
| Public Toilets | Y | Drinking taps | Y |
| Playground | Y | Outdoor Exercise equipment | N |
| Electric BBQ | Y | Covered seating | N |
| Concrete walking track | Y | Bushwalking track | Y |
| Community Hall | Y |
Bushwalking in John Curtin Reserve is along the Water Dragon Way. See map for details.
History.
John Curtin Reserve contains a core bushland reserve within a Sandstone gully which meets the larger Toongabbie Creek system. The gully forms a diverse natural resource, different from the resources formed by the more alluvial Toongabbie Creek, enhancing the food and fibre resources used by the Burramatta clan of First Australians. The reserve links directly with Burramatta clans area but has a similar nature to the Hills District lands used by the Bidji clan.
The location of the Burramatta and Bidji clans within the Sydney basin are illustrated on the following map.
Named after Australia’s 14th Prime Minister; John Curtin (1885 – 1945). Reportedly suffered severely from stress during the second world war, which is said to have contributed to his death. Interesting comparisons have been drawn about naming, with Curtin and Churchill central figures in these names.
It is strangely appropriate that these two leaders of Australia and England during the Second World War — John Curtin and Winston Churchill — are commemorated in a way that has them standing separate to each other, while at the same time united by a common setting.
It brings to mind a defining moment during the war when Curtin opposed Churchill’s wishes in February 1942 as 7th Division of the Second Australian Imperial Force was sailing from the Middle East back to the Pacific. Churchill insisted the troops be deployed to Burma, but Curtin argued they should return immediately to defend Australia against the Japanese advance.In spite of the ensuing diplomatic feud, Curtin brought the troops home.This added momentum to Australia’s realignment of its foreign policy towards the United States rather than its traditional partner Great Britain.
Curtin is today recognised as the first of Australia’s modern leaders. His focus on a more independent Australia and his ideas for social welfare in a post war economy, have become the foundation of contemporary Australian politics.It was Curtin’s government which put in place mechanisms for federal control and policies which allowed Australia to participate in the global economy. (Supplied with appreciation Nature Tourism PTY LTD).
Vegetation.
John Curtin Reserve contains a transition between the Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland to Sydney Coastal Sandstone Moist Forest. It includes the Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest which together with Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
References
Images taken with thanks from David Kuhle