History of Glenorie 

Shires of Baulkham Hills and Hornsby Location: 44 kilometres north-west of Sydney on Old Northern Road

This suburb, on the road to Wiseman's Ferry, between Dural and North Maroota, is one of a group that began life as part of Dural. Formerly known as North Dural, it was on part of the 34,000 acres of land reserved in 1802 by Governor King, and opened up by timber-cutters from 1817. The area proved excellent for orchards, which were being established from the 1860s, and especially for citrus fruits. As the district developed, the name North Dural caused much confusion for the post office, so it suggested the name be changed and submitted a list of possible names. Finally the choice was between two suggested by William Black, a well-known local identity: Glenorle and Hazeldene. The local progress association chose Glenorie, a Scottish name. From 1894 the suburb was known by this name and soon developed an identity of its own.

Preliminary surveys were made in 1826 for the road passing west of St Jude's Church, Dural, now called the Old Northern Road, when John Oxley (1785?-1828) was surveyor-general. It was the main road to Newcastle, but many travellers still preferred to travel to Newcastle by sea. An inn was established by Thomas Best soon after the road opened, near today's Middle Dural. Best was one of the first residents, and the Roughley family were also early settlers in this delightful area (see Dural).

Reference: The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled & Edited by Frances Pollon, published by Angus & Robertson Publishers 1988