Formation of the Municipality of Shellharbour

DESCRIPTION

NameFormation of the Municipality of ShellharbourEvent LocationShellharbourDescriptionThe Municipalities Act of 1858 enabled the opportunity for establishment of local government. An advertisement in the Illawarra Mercury on 13 December 1858 stated - ‘The Act which gave the people of NSW power to become incorporated into Municipalities, the Rights of the People: Electors of Macquarie River, Stoney Creek and Shellharbour meet at R. Martin’s ‘Settlers Arms Hotel’ Shellharbour this evening at 6 o’clock to petition to be formed into a Municipality.

210 people of Shellharbour willingly signed a petition dated 14 January 1859 to form a Municipality. The Municipality of Shellharbour was proclaimed on 4 June 1859, signed by W. Denison, (NSW Government Gazette Tuesday 7 June 1859).

Under the provisions and accordance of The Municipalities Act of 1858 the Council had to prepare estimates required for expenses such as tolls, rates, dues, fencing, roads, bridges, punts, wharves and other public works within a Municipality.

The first hustings were held at the rear of Robert Wilson’s steam flour mill Shellharbour on 4 July 1859. Robert Perrot returning officer and the following were declared elected as the nine councillors: Robert Wilson, Andrew McGill, Patrick Collins, Ebenezer Russell, William Wilson, Robert Martin, William James, William Moles and Joseph Dunster.

The first meeting of council was held at the Shellharbour schoolroom Addison Street on Friday, 22 July 1859. William Wilson was elected Chairman. An official Council Chambers had not yet been built, and at this first council meeting Mr. Edward Graham, Storekeeper, offered a room for meetings at his Peterborough Store n/w corner of Addison and Mary Street Shellharbour.

Meetings were held there until the first Council Chambers was built in 1865 by stonemason Matthew Dinning, from local basalt and the first meeting at the new Council Chambers was held in February 1866 with Alderman Humphrey Dunster the Mayor.

Shellharbour Municipal Council Aldermen and Town Clerk, c.1870.

William James (Mayor), John Fraser, Thomas Fenwick, Thomas Coughrane, William Fryer, Edward Killalea, John Russell, Richard Hall (Clerk).

CONNECTIONS

PersonWilson, RobertCollectionShellharbour City Council CollectionPlaceShellharbour Council Chambers, Shellharbour VillageLocalityShellharbour City LGAOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilFamilyMolesJamesMartin (Robert Branch)RussellMcGillDunster

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Formation of the Municipality of Shellharbour