Kenilworth, Highroyd and Hockindon, part of Annandale’s famous row of ‘Witches’ Houses’
(260–264 Johnston Street)
Please subscribe to receive our latest issue in your inbox every week!
Editor’s Note
Thanks to everyone who took part in last week’s poll. The message was clear, readers want a dash of Annandale history with their weekly news. The Troll has listened! From now on, I’ll be weaving in a bit of local heritage, either as its own section or mixed into the week’s stories to add colour and context.
A quick shout-out to Daniel for his feedback, which inspired this week’s first story and Margery for her idea on adding a kids’ game (more on that soon). Don’t worry, it’ll all stay short, local and easy to read, just with a little more Annandale flavour.
Village News
Selling history: Highroyd, Annandale’s gothic treasure
One of Johnston Street’s famous “Witches Houses”, Highroyd, is on the market listed at a guide of around $9.75 million.
Built in 1889 by John Young, Highroyd was part of his vision for a grand Johnston Street. The striking row soon earned the nickname “Witches Houses” for their pointed spires, resembling witches’ hats. One even inspired Belinda Murrell’s ghost-story novel The Ivory Rose. In the late 1960s and 1970s, the houses came under threat from development, but Betty Mason and the Annandale Association, with support from the National Trust, helped safeguard the group for future generations.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside a gothic mansion, here’s your chance. Highroyd opens for inspection at 10 am this Saturday: turrets, stained glass and all.
Read more about the history of the Witches Houses on Inner West Icons (link).
Teen found safe after search in Annandale
Police say the 14-year-old girl who was the subject of a public appeal earlier this week has been found safe and well. She was missing on Monday afternoon near Whites Creek, prompting concern in the area. Officers from the Leichhardt Police Area Command thanked the community for their assistance.
(source: Leichhardt Police Area Command Facebook group)
Car stolen on Trafalgar Street, later recovered
A resident’s car was reportedly stolen from outside their home on Trafalgar Street last week. Police later recovered the vehicle and arrested the alleged offenders after a short chase. Another neighbour mentioned an attempted break-in on Johnston Street on Friday, prompting discussion about rising car and property crime in the area. Locals are reminding each other to stay alert and keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight.
(source: Annandale 2038 Facebook group)
A cool local tip for the heat
With temperatures hitting 36°C this week, the Council shared a guide to places to keep cool across the area (link). It didn’t list any options right here in Annandale though, but in a conversation with a local resident, I was told the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in Petersham is a great option. It is outdoors, but without the traffic and parking hassle of the beach. I haven’t been yet, but it’s now on my list (link).
Pic/s of the Week
Can you spot it? Annandale’s trees are alive with surprises if you take the time to look up. (photo by Mark 19Oct)
There it is, a Tawny Frogmouth with a chick, keeping a sleepy watch over William Stuart Playground, near Piper St.
Poll of the Week
Who makes the best coffee on Booth St?
Get out of the house (Fri 24 Oct – Thu 30 Oct)
ALL WEEKEND
Sydney | Side by Side by Sondheim – Genesian Theatre. Musical revue celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s wit and songcraft. Fri & Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 4:30 pm. Tickets from $40.
Camperdown | Christine Druitt Preston: Ephemeral Beauty – Artiste Contemporary. Exhibition exploring botanical forms through prints and paintings. 11 am–5 pm. Free entry.
Haymarket | Secrets of the City Circle Walking Tour – Central Station. Guided heritage walk uncovering Sydney’s hidden rail history. Free.
FRIDAY 24 OCT
Glebe | Social Knitting Group – Glebe Library. Relaxed fortnightly knitting session. 1:30–3:30 pm. Free entry.
Leichhardt | These New South Whales – Crowbar. Sydney punk favourites return with their ‘INSTINCT’ tour. Tickets from $35. 7 pm.
Glebe | Cameron Jones Trio – Local Edition. Gypsy jazz from guitarist Cameron Jones and trio. 8 pm. Tickets from $37.
Camperdown | JUMP (USA) – Van Halen Tribute – Manning Bar. High-energy tribute direct from the USA. 8 pm. Tickets from $70.
Glebe | K-Bop – St John’s Church. Singing circle for ages 0–5 led by Angie Who. 10–10:40 am. Term tickets from $144.
SATURDAY 25 OCT
Leichhardt | Tabletop Games – Leichhardt Library. Afternoon of board and card games for teens aged 13–18. 1:30–4:30 pm. Free entry.
Camperdown | Stillness and Sound – Chau Chak Wing Museum. A cappella concert by the University Madrigal Society. 2–3 pm. Free entry.
Leichhardt | Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners – Leichhardt Oval. A-League home opener. 7:35 pm.
Leichhardt | Slim Krusty | So Far, So Bad Tour – Crowbar. Folk-punk and irreverent humour from Slim Krusty. Tickets from $24. 730 pm.
Camperdown | 10 Years: Sydney Edition – Church Street Studios. Muses Trio celebrate women composers with new works. 7:30 pm. Tickets from $30.
SUNDAY 26 OCT
Leichhardt | Norton Street Italian Festa – Pioneers Memorial Park. Food, music, markets and family fun. 10 am–5 pm. Free entry.
Lilyfield | Sydney 5k SCADaddle for Research – Bay Run. Charity walk/run supporting SCAD heart attack research. 10–11:30 am.
Leichhardt | Family Tales at Leichhardt Library – Italian Forum. Storytime for 0–5s with rhythm and rhyme. 10:30–11 am. Free entry.
Annandale | Curious Grace Drop-In Centre – St Brendan’s Memorial Hall. Friendly community space for coffee, craft and conversation. 11 am–1 pm. Free entry.
Camperdown | KHYAL Trio in Sydney – Church Street Studios. Tabla, flamenco and jazz fusion. 6–7:30 pm. Tickets from $30.
MONDAY 27 OCT
Leichhardt | Storytime at Leichhardt Library – Italian Forum. Preschool story and rhyme time. 10:30–11 am. Free entry.
Camperdown | Monday Night Confessions – Church Street Studios. Jenna Cave Sextet and emerging jazz artists. 8–10 pm.
TUESDAY 28 OCT
Leichhardt | Saddle Club: Saloon – Crowbar. Second week of line-dancing fun with two classes and open practice. Tickets from $24. 6:30–9:30 pm.
Camperdown | Banksia Trio (JPN) Live – Church Street Studios. Intimate acoustic concert by Tokyo-based jazz trio. 8–10 pm.
Glebe | Auslan Ceramics Art Club – Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics Studio. Clay workshop for Deaf and HOH creatives. 10 am–12:30 pm. Tickets from $42.
WEDNESDAY 29 OCT
Lilyfield | Mums Get Active Postnatal Pilates – Jimmy Little Community Centre. Strengthen and stretch post-baby. 8:30–9:30 am.
Leichhardt | Tech Savvy Seniors – Leichhardt Library. Learn digital basics for everyday life. 10 am–12 pm. Free entry.
Annandale | Sounds Good Choir – Annandale Creative Arts Centre. Casual weekly choir for locals. 6–8 pm.
Camperdown | Matt Hansen | Down Under 2025 – Manning Bar. LA singer-songwriter’s heartfelt pop show. 7:30 pm. Tickets from $70.
THURSDAY 30 OCT
Leichhardt | Book Buddies – Leichhardt Library. Gentle baby session for 0–2s with songs and rhymes. 10:30–11 am. Free entry.
Camperdown | J.W. Power: An Australian Avant-gardist – Chau Chak Wing Museum. Book launch with curator talks. 6–7:30 pm. Tickets $5.
Annandale | Swirling Flame: Album Launch by Elysian Fields – Johnston St Jazz. Jazz meets baroque and folk in new album launch. 8–10 pm. Tickets from $15.
Camperdown | POSSESSED – 40th Anniversary Tour – Manning Bar. US death-metal legends mark 40 years of Seven Churches. 8 pm. Tickets from $67.
🏡 Property Watch
Sales
| Address | Price | Beds | Baths | Garages | Land (sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 Breillat Street | $3.86 m | 4 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 45 Wells Street | $1.78 m | 2 | 1 | 1 | 151 |
DA activity
No new development notifications found this week
Enjoyed this week’s Troll? Share it with a neighbour :)
Forward this email or share this link www.annandaletroll.com.au
Sincerely,
Mark (resident of North Annandale)
PS. The Troll’s at its best when it’s a two-way street. Spotted something worth sharing, keen to contribute, or up for a coffee chat? Just hit reply or email me at [email protected]