by Cathy Jones
One of the earliest homes built on the 1878 ‘Village of Homebush’ estate is ‘Broughlea’, 82 Abbotsford Road. ‘Broughlea’ is one a few remaining two storey brick Victorian Italianate style houses in Abbotsford Road. This house was was built c.1880 by Horatio Aylward, a City based solicitor in the practice of Aylward and Wild. Many of the early houses in Abbotsford Road were built by professional men, attracted to Strathfield and Homebush by large land allotments and rail transport to their places of business in the City. Both Aylward and Wild were foundation members of the prestigious Strathfield Union Club [later Strathfield Recreation Club], whose members in its early history were prominent and wealthy businessmen, merchants and professionals. ‘Broughlea’ appears to be the first house built in Abbotsford Rd and was called ‘Rhodanthe’ when owned by Alyward.
Horatio Alyward died in September 1886, and the property was later acquired by Benjamin Chapman, an estate agent of the firm Chapman & Hazlewood, in April 1888. Chapman renamed the house ‘Broughlea’.
By 1897, the property was owned by the executors of the estate of R Young and the property was leased by F.A. Davenport. The house was then known as ‘Orme’. Other occupiers of “Broughlea” were George Kiss [1899], J. Dyer [1901-2]. From 1905, ‘Broughlea’ was owned by William Richards. Richards was manager of the stock and station agency Hill, Clark & Co, which operated from Homebush Saleyards Parramatta Road. Richards also served as an Alderman on Strathfield Council.
In 1923, Frederick W. Hulls of Hulls Haberdashery purchased the house. In 1924 the first subdivision of the property occurred, when a 50 x 200 foot block was partitioned off. This created the lot on which 86 Abbotsford Road is now located. In 1927 a second subdivision took place, when another similar size lot was portioned, thereby creating 88 Abbotsford Rd. Hulls continued ownership until 1955 when John Linnett Hulls became the owner. In 1959 the last subdivision occurred when a 20 foot strip was partitioned off and combined with a 100 x 100 foot block behind Nos.86 and 88. This created a ‘battle-axe’ block, which is now 84 Abbotsford Road.
In 1968, ownership of “Broughlea” passed to Don Talbot, then the Australian national swimming coach. Talbot was the owner for four years and then sold the property to John Herbert Mason in 1972. ‘Broughlea’ was awarded with a Strathfield Council Heritage Award in 2001 for restoration and conservation.
References
A short history of Strathfield Recreation Club 1881-1956
Duxbury, Trevor, ‘Broughlea’ 82 Abbotsford Rd, 2001
Sands Sydney Directory 1881-1932
Strathfield Council Rates Book 1891 and Valuation lists – 1897-99, 1899-1900, 1901-07, 1920, 1924, 1933, 1957
Wise’s Post Office Directory 1904, 1908, 1936
Strathfield Heritage 
Extremely interesting.I came across this article after googling my late father,Dr.John Herbert Mason,who was a General practioner in Strathfield.I remember him purchasing ‘Broughlea’ when I was 17yrs old and actually had my wedding reception in the backyard 11yrs later.I lived at ‘Broughlea’with my parents,brother and three sisters.
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very good article. My father Keith Kesby, a pharmacist, along with wife Kit and five children occupied the battleaxe block at 84 between 1968 and 1983 and I remember Lyn and your wedding! Always an interesting house to visit especially as a young boy.
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Ha! Dr Mason was my grandfather’s GP and I also knew the Kesbys at number 84! My mother grew up at Darenth, Albyn Road, also listed by Cathy’s site. Great to see Strathfield’s history being documented and kept alive.
Juliet Byrnes
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