Sensory Garden renamed after Hills Shire volunteer

The Hills Shire Council has advised that a sensory garden at Balcombe Heights Estate in Baulkham Hills has been officially renamed The Connie Anne Keith Sensory Garden. The announcement coincides with National Volunteer Week - Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering now underway from 19th-25th May 2025.

The sensory garden at Balcombe Heights Estate was funded by the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program (formerly WestInvest). The garden was opened in November 2024 and renamed following community consultation. Its features include an accessible ramp as well as Aboriginal art symbols and colourful park furniture, designed to be a quiet place of reflection for visitors.

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said it was fitting the garden be renamed after Connie Anne Keith, who was the driving force behind the community space.

Mayor Byrne noted "from coming up with the initial idea for the garden, to applying for the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program and working alongside Council and the garden's designer, Connie cultivated the sensory garden and brought it to life.

"Sensory gardens stimulate the four senses of sight, touch, hearing and smell, and have been shown to improve mental and physical wellbeing, especially for people with dementia or neurodivergent needs.

"The Connie Anne Keith Sensory Garden has become a cherished space for Balcombe Heights Estate patrons and visitors including Woodbury Autism Education and Hills Community Care and Hills Community Aid clients, which care for children with disability and people with dementia or neurodivergent needs.

"Connie has a long history of volunteering at Balcombe Heights Estate, stretching back to 2006 when she was part of a pottery group on-site and put her hand up to become Chair of the Balcombe Heights Estate Committee. She has held that position ever since.

"The renaming of the garden after Connie is a small way our community can recognise her incredible efforts over the past 19 years, which have included promoting the history of Balcombe Heights Estate, organising annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, opening the war memorial, planting trees as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, and much more."

The official renaming of the garden was celebrated on Monday, 19th May during a small ceremony with Keith and her family.

Keith emphasised the sensory garden belongs to everyone adding "I wanted to have something that's going to be useful for the community and bring the community together. That was my main aim.

"It's incredible to have this space named after me so my children and grandchildren can enjoy it for many years to come.

"While it's named after me which is a great honour, it is a garden for the community."

Image. Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Michelle Byrne with Connie Keith at The Connie Anne Keith Sensory Garden.