Open House 2026 600 x 600

 WANDER AT YOUR LEISURE THROUGH A SORENSON GARDEN

Sunday October 18

 

Wander at your leisure through the beautiful, expansive garden designed by Paul Sorensen. Listen to a talk about the landscape designer and/or partake in the house and garden tours, a choir performace and other talks.

Refreshments and morning and afternoon tea are also available. We’re looking forward to opening our NSW Heritage listed house and garden, Mahratta. Please join us and enjoy our hospitality.

See below for details on each activity and where to register.

When:       Sunday 18 October 10:00am – 3:00pm

Where:      'Mahratta' 25 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga 

Cost:           Morning / Afternoon tea $10

Guided House Tours $15

Key Note Talk $25

Garden visit, choirs concert and garden tours are free of charge

All proceeds go to the conservation of the house and garden.

KEYNOTE TALK

PAUL SORENSEN: A LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR MAHRATTA

The design process is both art and science. In landscaping the design needs to accommodate the site and the wishes of the client, respecting the past to create something beautiful and practical for the future. We examine the garden development at Mahratta, tracking its history and design by one of Australia’s most famous landscape designers and gardeners, Paul Sorensen.
Speaker, Rebecca Palser, Horticulturalist and Landscape Designer

When:  10.15am

Where: Assembly Room – allow 15 minutes to park and walk to the venue

Cost:    $25

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FREE TALKS

PHILOSOPHY AS A WAY OF LIFE – THE WISDOM WITHIN

Why embrace Practical Philosophy as a way of life? How will it benefit you? What is Wisdom, and how might we make it practical? Is Wisdom just about knowledge or something more? Explore how to experience a deeper, calmer presence and mindful action. Find your wisdom within.

When:  12pm & 2pm

Where: Assembly Room – allow 15 minutes to park and walk to the venue

 

MAHRATTA – A GARDENER’S VIEW

A garden to complement an Art Deco mansion set in a natural rain forest. A pictorial essay of the garden’s development through its over 100 year history and how philosophic practice is continuing to preserve the quintessential beauty today.
Speaker: David Hogan, Garden Designer and Creator

When:  1pm

Where: Assembly Room – allow 15 minutes to park and walk to the venue

GUIDED HOUSE TOURS 

A 45-minute guided tour, hear the story of Mahratta – one of Sydney’s most pristine Art Deco/Georgian Revival homes – and be shown its distinguishing architectural features and design.

When:  10am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm (last tour)

Where: Meet outside the front door – allow 15 minutes to park and walk to the venue

Cost:    $15

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GARDEN TOURS

Join our head of the volunteer gardening team, Jane as she escorts you through the 4 acres of garden and help identify the trees and plants. Jane will share her story about the joy of service caring for the estate.

When:  11:30am & 1:30pm

Where: Meet on the front lawn – allow 15 minutes to park and walk to the venue

Cost:     Free of charge

 

CHOIR PERFORMANCE

A wonderful performance by the John Colet School Choir, conducted by Glen Miller

When:   11:15am - 11:45am

Where:  The Pompeiian Courtyard

Cost:       Free of charge

 

REFRESHMENTS

Morning and afternoon tea avaialble from 10am in the Refectory