Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre

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Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre is a complex in the suburb of Gymea, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Hazelhurst features two Art Galleries, Theatrette, art studios, meeting rooms, gardens, gift shop and cafe. The facility also acts is available for hire as a function centre. Hazelhurst is located on the Kingsway at Gymea.

[edit] History

Hazelhurst is an initiative of the Sutherland Shire Council and was created by the bequest of Ben and Hazel Broadhurst. The land that became Hazelhurst was secured in 1945, where a two-storey cottage, designed with the help of local architect Harry Smith, was built. It is now Hazelhurst's artist-in-residence and digital media studio.

The Broadhursts were successful business people, managing a shirt-making factory in Rockdale for more than 40 years. After retiring Ben and Hazel gave their time to charities and worthy causes. The Broadhursts loved gardening and practised recycling and organic farming.

The Broadhursts were generous, community-minded people and in keeping with their values they bequeathed their estate to the Sutherland Shire. Hazelhurst opened in 2000 as a regional gallery, community gallery, arts centre and cafe.