Trailblazer Mary Rossi’s Northwood Home is on the Market – First Time in 62 Years.

Mary Rossi was a trailblazer.

When the ABC started broadcasting in November 1956, Mary Rossi became the first woman in Australia to have her own televised program – A Woman’s World with Mary Rossi. The weekly national daytime show featured Mary interviewing interesting people from all around the world on current affairs.

She then went on to become a travel industry doyenne and philanthropist. She achieved this while bringing up a family of ten children (8 girls and 2 boys).  She passed away earlier this year at age  95.

Mary is survived by 9 of her children, Cathy Harris AO PSM of Harris Farm Markets, Tim Rossi, Claudia Rossi Hudson owner of Mary Rossi Travel, Mary-Anne Rossi, Sally Rossi Ford, Philip Rossi of the Tapex Group Danielle Helms, Alexandra Tiffin of RibbonTrim and Emma Rossi  who is the Director Of Strategic Communications at the ACCC.

Mary had 34 grandchildren and 40 +++ great-grandchildren.

While her children will tell you her greatest achievement was 63 happily married years to Theo, others sought to recognise her commitments to public life:  Mary’s acheivements inlcuded:

• NSW Mother of the Year, 1975
• NSW Governments Women’s Advisory Committee, 1976-78
• Order of the British Empire 1979
• Chair, St Margaret’s Public Hospital Advisory Board, 1982-88
• NSW Government’s Sydney Health Service, 1986-88

In 2018 the Lane Cove Council awarded Mary a citizenship award as the founding financial supporter of Mary’s House, a domestic violence refuge recently established on the lower north shore.

Mary made a valuable contribution  to the North Shore Women’s Benevolent Association, a not-for-profit organisation established to support those escaping domestic violence. The group opened the hostel called Mary’s House to provide accommodation for women and their dependent children escaping domestic violence. In recognition of the significant financial support Mary provided for this project, there is a dedicated space inside the hostel called the ‘Rossi Room’.

62 Cliff Road Northwood

Mary lived in one of North Shore’s finest grand family homes, the landmark estate at 62 Cliff Road, Northwood, is on offer for the first time in 60 years.

Marketing agents Ray White Lower North Shore Group Principals Richard Harding and Geoff Smith said this incredibly rare and much loved home was an absolute waterfront manor on a double allotment totalling 4,847sqm.

“An opportunity unlikely to be repeated,” said Mr Smith, a highly experienced prestige agent.

“This family centrepiece was originally built in 1915 and later restored and rejuvenated. The architecturally significant landmark home takes advantage of its rare double block while an option extends to explore potential subdivision and development possibilities, subject to council approval,” Mr Smith said.

“The six bedroom home is truly in a class of its own on the exclusive North Shore peninsula on the Lane Cove River, close to leading schools, waterside parks, city buses, ferry wharf and less than four kilometres from the CBD.”

The grand plantation-style single level manor captures panoramic views of the bay to picturesque CBD and Anzac Bridge.

The grand estate of the late Mary Rossi and her family is a jewel in the local community.

Speaking on behalf of the family Claudia Rossi said the house was full of love and great happiness.

“This is a much-loved family home of 60 years and we’re so looking forward to a new family enjoying it. The whole family fell in love with the house and garden as soon as we set eyes on it,” Ms Rossi said.

“We know the next owners will love it too. We needed a big house to cope with our large family and our entertaining notions were equally expansive! There were more than a dozen family wedding receptions on the veranda or in the garden. We had hundreds of other parties including 21sts, graduations, dances in the cellar, and significant birthdays,” she said.

The family nominated the orchard down near the foreshore as one of their favourite spots.

“My brothers and sisters and I also remember hours playing horses and other fantasy games, and many happy family picnics and barbecues under sunny skies in the peaceful orchard.  It’s so rare to have that much land so close to the city. On weekends our extended family would gather for tennis or boating,” Ms Rossi said.

The Rossis are all keen tennis players and the championship sized court is in wonderful condition.

Inside the home is a sandstone cellar with a private tasting room featuring a custom bar and extensive wine storage. There is also a stone boat house with ramp access to the water.

The property has a price guide of $20 million+ and expressions of interest close on 20 October 2021.

Lane Cove Council Election Survey