Richie Benaud’s family home is proposed to be redeveloped for the construction of a 2 storey dual occupancy at 5 Sutherland Road, North Parramatta. We are urgently seeking an Interim Heritage Order from the NSW State Government. As a world class cricketer, a member of the Australian and ICC Cricket Halls of Fame, he is undoubtedly the most influential cricketer and cricket personality. His family home and backyard during his formative years is where Richie Benaud developed his googly, topspinner and flipper and other cricket skills, thereby making his family home a cultural heritage item.

The Benaud family sold their family home in 2003 to David Borger, a former Lord Mayor of Parramatta, and today the current NSW State Minister for Western Sydney. The property was recently sold to the current developers. The previous owner should have instigated a local, state or even national heritage status.

As a local councillor, as a Lord Mayor, as a Member of Parliament, or as a Minister of the Crown, he should have initiated a heritage status application which would have enhanced the property’s value, not diminish it.

The Parramatta City Councillors have also unanimously backed my call to seek the feasibility of a Council bank account to receive Australian and international donations to help maintain or keep Richie Benaud’s family home. The Council has also agreed with me that Council should also seek the feasibility of a national heritage status on Richie Benaud’s family home.

Australians and international cricket fans should be invited to help save Richie Benaud’s family home, whether by a petition, or by donating a bit of money. We will be trying our best to help save this local, national and globally significant cricket mecca, not just for this and past generations, but also for future generations of cricket tragics to appreciate this living cricket legend.

Click here to download a copy of the petition

Click here for the media release dated 23 August 2010