King, Desmond

DESCRIPTION

NameKing, Desmond OccupationTown Clerk Shellharbour Municipal CouncilPlace of ResidenceAlbion ParkBiographyDes King was born at Albion Park, the youngest of ten children born to Thomas and Annie King.

He went to school at St Paul's, Albion Park, and as a child was given the nickname 'Dobbie', which stuck all his life.

After leaving school Des worked for a number of years at Lysaght's Port Kembla before accepting a position with Shellharbour Municipal Council 23 November 1945.

Des worked for Shellharbour Council for 39 years, and dedicated his life to the community.

When he began working for Council in 1945, the staff consisted of four people. When he left almost 40 years later, 90 people were employed in the office.

In 1945 the population of Shellharbour was about 3000 and tarred roads were non existent.

In 1951 Des was appointed Deputy Town Clerk, and succeeded Stan Teggins as Town Clerk (General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer)in 1959.

When Des gained his Town Clerk's Certificate, he was at that time, the youngest person to do so.

Des was known for his bright, cheery disposition and great sense of humour.

For a number of years Des also served as secretary of the Shellharbour Combined Bush Fire Brigade.

Des also had a great association with the Dudgeon family and the 'Parkview' AIS Cattle Stud, assisting the Dudgeon's with grooming the herd for Sydney and local agricultural shows. He would take his holidays each year to coincide with the Royal Easter Show, staying at the Showground to care for the cattle.

Des married Avron Dudgeon and was a loving step father to her children.

Des' brother Lloyd King lived at 'Tulkeroo' Albion Park for many years.

The high esteem in which Des was help was shown when over 500 people attended his funeral service at Albion Park in 1985 after a battle with cancer.

At the service, Father Eugene Weber said of Des 'selfless, practical nature, that embraced troubles and the troubles in his kind hand, smile and word'. Staff of Shellharbour Council formed a guard of honour from the church to his resting place.

Des King Oval is named in his honour.

External LinkRoundabout 1948Roundabout 1949Personal 1950

Des King, Town Clerk, c.1959.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleLocalityAlbion ParkShellharbour City LGAOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilPersonDudgeon, HughPlaceParkviewDes King OvalTulkerooRelated ItemDes King (Town clerk) at the entrance to Lake Illawarra in the 1960sShellharbour Town Clerk Des (Dobby) KingDes KingDes S KingDes King, Town ClerkDes King, Shellharbour Town Clerk, Arthur Russell and Mayor Bob Harrison

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King, Desmond