DescriptionThis interview consists of three audio recordings and transcripts. Helen Kerfoot was interviewed on 3 September 2003 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Shirley McLeod.Interview SummaryHelen Moffitt was born at a private hospital in Lindfield NSW on the 10th December 1927. Her parents were Frederic Moffitt and Nellie Jamieson. Her father worked as an accountant and served in the First World War. Helen was one of four children.
Helen’s family was originally from Killara in Sydney. She attended a small primary school in Killara and moved on to Presbyterian Ladies’ College at Pymble until fourth class. It was at this stage that her father purchased the Horsley homestead, a magnificent colonial estate in the style of an Indian bungalow with original outbuildings and farm from c. 1830’s, along with 65 surrounding acres of farmland in the Horsley Park area.
Horsley was originally part of a 2000 acre plot of land owned by Major George Johnson. 'King’s Gift' as it was originally named was a gift from Governor King to Johnston for his service in quashing a convict rebellion at Castle Hill. The estate was then gifted to his daughter, Blanche, as a wedding gift in 1829 when she married Captain George Weston of the East India Company.
Helen’s family moved to the house in May 1939, being the second family to ever occupy the homestead. Helen began at a new school, Queen’s College Liverpool and completed her studies at the Methodist’s Ladies College in Burwood. After school, Helen and her sister helped their mother run the farm while the war was on and the men were away fighting.
Helen completed a secretarial course and became a teacher’s helper for a school in Parramatta. For a time, she moved to England and was a governess teaching two children of friends. Upon returning to Australia, she began work as a secretary for a prominent solicitors group, Phillip Goldman in Fairfield, leaving in 1955 once she married.
Helen met her husband, Neville Kerfoot at a dance party through mutual friends and they had two children together, Kerry and Robert (Bob). They have six grandchildren. Helen has led an interesting life at Horsley and seen the changing face of Horsley Park from a rural farming community to a growing suburban landscape.
Oral History ProjectAll Oral HistoriesThe Way We Were - People of Fairfield
Helen Kerfoot Oral History. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 10/03/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/682
