Our wonderful local libraries
catalogue, renew or reserve items, borrow physical items yourself using selfservice, store multiple family library cards and receive alerts and notifications.
If local history is something you are interested in then of course the library has you covered! They have resources including books, reports, local newspapers, pamphlet files, aerial photos, maps and street directories. Some of these items are only available at your local library as they can be frail or out of print, so check with your library to make sure you can access them.
As part of the historical library there is a fantastic collection of oral history available, which has been collected over the years, transcribed or made into professional recordings.
These valuable stories make sure that our local history is preserved for future generations to enjoy. If you live in one of our newer areas you can delve into the histories to find out what used to be on the land that you live on now, it’ s a fascinating thing to explore and get a different outlook about where you live.
For people researching their family
history, tools like Ancestry and Find My Past are available through library computers, making it easier for individuals to trace their roots and build connections to the past.
The library has many other online research databases if you want to expand your search from local history. There are databases for ancestry, British newspapers, health and wellness, science and many more. These would be perfect for students who are looking to get resources for projects when they are studying. There are spaces you can hire for larger groups of people which are perfect for meetings, workshops or study groups.
Several of the libraries offer access to Justice of the Peace services, making it easy to get documents witnessed for legal purpose. Through partnerships with Western Sydney Community Legal Centre visitors can access legal information, which makes the libraries a larger gateway to community services.
Your local library is much more
ANZAC Day display at Castle Hill Library. Did you know our libraries can help you access local history? than a place that stores books, it can be a gateway to meeting new people, learning, helping parents find community with other parents, assisting those who can’ t get out to still have access to books. It can be a place of peace to work or study, somewhere to join a club or even print paperwork if you don’ t have a printer at home. And the best thing of all, almost all of the services are free to locals, so what are you waiting for, get to your local library and see what it has on offer.
You can access information on the Hills Library Services at the council website www. thehills. nsw. gov. au / Residents / Library.
BUSH FIRE... GET READY!
We’ ve seen the devastation in Victoria with hundreds of thousands of acres burnt and many homes lost. With vivid memories of the massive fires in NSW in the past, it’ s clear that the last few years has seen a consistent buildup of fuel, right throughout the east coast.
Scorching hot weather and erratic winds are the key ingredients for serious bushfire danger. One local company, Aussie Pumps, located at Norwest, has ramped up production of both Honda petrol and Yanmar diesel drive fire pumps.
The Aussie Fire Chief is regarded as the world’ s best lightweight, portable fire pump. Designed originally for Australian conditions, it’ s now a big seller around the world.
“ The product is simply better than any other of its kind in the world and comes with a five-year warranty and a flat price of $ 880 including GST. They are available from Aussie Gold distributors throughout Hills to Hawkesbury.
Aussie Pumps also produce tens of thousands of their Fire Survival Guides in preparation for the fire season every year. It covers everything you need to
Preparing for bush fire takes time & resources, planning ahead is essential.
get your property prepared. If you choose to stay and fight the fire, having sufficient water and a high-quality pump is required. A good quality high pressure hose kit is just as important. With sprinklers on the roof and downpipes blocked, the gutters can turn into a‘ moat’ to help defend an ember attack.
Further information, including Aussie’ s FREE Bushfire Survival Guide, visit aussiepumps. com. au
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Drivers required. Contact us.
02 9651 1055 info @ martinsbls. com. au
@ martinsbuildingandlandscape
272-274 New Line Rd, DURAL NSW 2158
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 128 // FEBRUARY 2026 7