Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Wahroonga) (18:33): Most, if not all, members of this house have spoken in their inaugural speech about the history of their local area and how it was settled and developed. It is very important to our identity to have knowledge of our local area and its history in order to pass that on to future generations. More broadly, a knowledge of history gives a valuable perspective on current events and challenges. One observation I have made of the incredible young people from my electorate is that they could have more knowledge of Sydney's history and how our nation was founded.

I have frequently visited the Hornsby Shire Historical Society's building at Normanhurst, a museum which is run by a very passionate and dedicated voluntary committee. The objectives of the Hornsby Shire Historical Society include encouraging the study of the history of the Hornsby Shire, fostering an interest in the history of Hornsby Shire, compiling authentic records, and collecting, preserving and exhibiting objects which have affected or will continue to affect the lifestyle and occupations of the residents of Hornsby Shire, both past and present. The museum's permanent displays focus on a typical childhood in a rural district, while the temporary displays highlight the changes in work and leisure in Hornsby Shire.

The Hornsby Shire Historical Society hall at Kenley Park was first built at Hornsby in 1900 between the then Hornsby Public School and the Hornsby Council Chambers. It was built as a drill hall for the F Company of the 6th Infantry Regiment which was stationed at Hornsby. This building was later used as Hornsby's first courthouse from 1907 to 1926. The hall was relocated in its entirety to its present location in Kenley Park in 1971 and given the name Joseph Collingridge Hall after the son of George Collingridge, the well-known artist and pioneer of Hornsby Shire. Joe became an active member of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1918 as a 21-year-old. Joe served as a member for over 58 years, including a period as president of the Hornsby Shire Historical Society. He left the society a significant collection of local historical knowledge and items, including rare photographs.

The Hornsby Shire Historical Society and its members have compiled and published a long list of local history books. Over many years, the society has hosted school groups as part of the primary school curriculum. Several thousand school students have visited. These tours provide a snapshot of the life of family members of generations past, before the 1950s. The museum incorporates a school room area equipped with a period‑appropriate blackboard, wooden desks, ink wells, pens and pencils. Activities students undertake on these tours include hand-washing socks in metal tubs using a scrubbing board and pegging them out to dry on a rope clothesline. They visit a laundry where the tubs are made of concrete and a copper is used to boil dirty clothes. Students also learn how cooking was undertaken in a pre-electric kitchen and set a dining table for a meal.

The museum incorporates a corner shop where a grocer serves visitors with period-appropriate items the museum has held for many decades. The shops of this era had a higher level of personal interaction than the shops of today and, therefore, were a much more significant part of the local community. Students also participate in manual, domestic activities, including a demonstration of how bathwater was heated in the bathroom, which is now performed rapidly and easily with less labour‑intensive machines and automation. The museum also works with nursing home and Alzheimer day care groups. This service has been well received by many of our community's more vulnerable members and is a great credit to the society.

As I have mentioned, the museum and these tours are designed to support the New South Wales Human Society and Its Environment [HSIE] Syllabus, Stage 1 History. It appears that recent changes to the primary school curriculum means that these types of tours are now not part of the history curriculum. It is my understanding that the curriculum changes have replaced our local history with study of the more ancient history of indigenous populations of various countries. Why is Ancient Egypt now replacing the study of our recent local history? I do not think this is a desirable change. While I was meeting with members of the society, they were very concerned that schools and other groups should continue to learn about our local history and I agree with them. The museum is open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Tuesday, and from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month or by prior arrangement for school groups. I congratulate the society and suggest that all of our community visit the museum and learn more about our local history.