Holroyd City’s History:Holroyd City’s History:Holroyd City’s History:Holroyd City’s History:

Significant ESignificant ESignificant ESignificant Eventsventsventsvents

Table of Contents Section Pages

Timeline 1 – 8

1791 - Settlement of Toongabbie 9

1804 - Battle of Vinegar Hill 10 – 11

1872 - Establishment of the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood

12 – 15

1927 - Holroyd Municipal Council 16 – 17

1952-3 - Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree 18 – 23

1978 - The Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner 24 – 30

1991 - Holroyd becomes a City 31 - 33

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Significant Events The area that is now Holroyd City Council has had a long and colourful history. Long before the establishment of the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood Council in 1872, European colonists were exploring the district within months of their arrival and establishing land grants in the district a few years later. And long before the Europeans arrived, the Indigenous Darug people lived, hunted, farmed and traded in this area. Below is a timeline of just some of the significant events that have helped shape Holroyd into the vibrant city it is today. Short accounts are provided for some of these events later in this document but for additional information, please contact Council's Local Studies Librarian on (02) 9840 9949 or e-mail jane.elias@holroyd.nsw.gov.au or stephen.coppins@holroyd.nsw.gov.au. Timeline 1780s

• Up to 1788 - The Darug people • 1788 - Governor Phillip visits Bellevue Hill (26 April) • 1788 - Settlement of Rose Hill (2 November) • 1789 - Watkin Tench views the Blue Mountains (26 June)

1790s

• 1790 - Governor Philip has Domain laid out (June) • 1791 - Settlement of Toongabbie (April) • 1791 - Rose Hill renamed Parramatta (4 June) • 1791 - Land Grants at Prospect Hill (18 July) • 1793 - Denham Court Estate (28 May) • 1793 - Construction of the Western Road (later Great Western Highway) begins • 1795 -1802 - Pemulwuy leads Indigenous resistance to European settlement • 1797 - Portland Place – the failed settlement

1800s

• 1802 - Parish of St. John proclaimed (July) • 1804 - Battle of Vinegar Hill (5 March) • 1805 - Peace talks between Weymaly Clan and settlers at Prospect Hill (3 May) • 1806 - John Gowan land grant on north-side of Prospect Creek (1 January)

1810s

• 1810 - Fitzwilliam Place – D'Arcy Wentworth's land grant (January) • 1810 – William Sherwin granted 400 acres at Prospect Creek and names it ‘Sherwood’ • 1811 - Veteran Hall – William Lawson's Prospect land grant • 1813 - Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth set off from Veteran Hall to cross Blue

Mountains • 1816 - James Meehan, Surveyor General, granted land near Granville (23 December)

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1820s

• 1820 - Methodist preaching circuit established • 1820s - Joseph Kenyon buys Herbert brothers’ land grants and establishes ‘Woodlands’ • 1822 - Toll bar constructed on the Western Road • 1825 - Church and School Land established • 1826 - Shootout between police and bushrangers near the toll bar on Western Road

(23 September), results in death of Constable Benjamin Ratty (7 October) 1830s

• 1831 - ‘Ockbrook’, William Sherwin’s estate consolidated (25 June) • 1832 - Charles Darwin visits Prospect Hill • 1836 - Greystanes – Nelson Simmons Lawson acquires ‘Grey Stanes’ Estate

(10 November) • 1817 - Lieutenant Samuel North granted land which he names ‘Guildford’ (April) • 1839 - 1 acre of Government Paddock set aside for Presbyterian cemetery (3 December)

1840s

• 1841 - St. Bartholomew's Church, Prospect opened • 1842 - Baptist services begin under a gum tree at Smithfield • 1843 - ‘Guildford’ sold to Henry Whittaker (February) • 1843 - Star Inn registered by William Fullagar (18 April) • 1845 - Cattle sale yard opened by William Fullagar next to Star Inn • 1849 - 1 acre of land set aside for Baptist cemetery (17 March)

1850s

• 1855 - Sherwood Scrubs – Arthur Holroyd purchases part of Sherwood estate (March) • 1856 - Rail line from Parramatta Junction (Granville) to Liverpool opened • 1859 - Mays Hill – Government Domain sub-divided (25 April)

1860s

• 1861 - Rail line from Parramatta to Penrith opened • 1867 - Guildford Post Office opened • 1868 - Merrylands Road built

1870s

• 1872 - Establishment of the Municipality of Prospect & Sherwood • 1876 - First purpose built Council Chambers erected • 1876 - Guildford Railway Station opened (13 April) • 1878 - Great Western Steam Brick & Pottery Works established • 1878 - Junction Brick and Pottery Co Ltd established (June) • 1878 - Merrylands Railway Station opened (6 July)

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1880s

• 1880 - Toongabbie Railway Station opened (26 April) • 1880 - Merrylands (postal) Receiving Office opens at railway station (1 November) • 1881 - Gough Town – Australia’s first Temperance Township (16 April) at Merrylands • 1882 - Macquarie Park Primary School temporary tent school established for children of

workers on Prospect Reservoir (May); Renamed Boothtown Public School (June) • 1883 - T. R. Smith’s Platform (Wentworthville Railway Station) opens • 1883 - Westmead Railway Station opens (March) • 1884 - Boothtown Primary School renamed Prospect Reservoir Public School and

relocated • 1884 - Goodlet and Smith take over Junction Brick and Pottery Co Ltd • 1885 - ‘Dunmore House’ built by Colonial Treasurer Sir William MacMillan at

Wentworthville • 1886 - Catholic Holy Trinity Parish, Granville established • 1886 - Goughtown Public School established (March) • 1886 - Number of Aldermen representing the district increased from six to nine

(8 September) • 1886 - Prospect and Sherwood Ratepayers' Association established (30 December) • 1887 - Official opening of new Council Chambers (5 February) • 1887 - Gas and kerosene street lighting introduced • 1888 - Pitt Row Public School (now Parramatta West Public School) established (April) • 1888 - Water supply – the Upper Nepean Scheme completed • 1889 - St. Mary's Church of England, Toongabbie erected

1890s

• 1890 - Wentworthville Post Office opens at Railway Station (10 October) • 1891 - Wentworthville Public School established (January) • 1891 - ‘Linnwood House’ completed by George McCredie at Guildford (April) • 1892 - St. Matthew's Mission Church, Holroyd (now St.Matthew's Anglican Church,

Greystanes - Merrylands West) officially opened and dedicated (28 May) • 1893 - St. Peter's Church of England, Mays Hill (later Pitt Row) established • 1894 - Presbyterian services commence at George McCredie's ‘Linnwood House’ • 1897 - Work commences on connecting Prospect & Sherwood to the Sydney water

supply as part of Prospect Reservoir project (19 July) • 1898 - “Old Dairy” Post Office opens (1 February), renamed Holroyd (14 March) • 1898 - Ward System introduced (Guildford, Pitt & Wentworth) (29 December)

1900s

• 1902 - Anglican Mission Hall, Guildford built • 1902 - Harper Street School (now Greystanes Public School) established (20 January) • 1902 - The Prospect Line – tramline connecting Emu Gravel Company quarry to

Toongabbie Station completed (April) • 1908 - First triennial full-Council election held (31 January) • 1909 - Regular sanitary nightsoil collection service commences

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1910s

• 1910 - St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Guildford dedicated (2 April) • 1910 - St. Patrick's Primary School opened (October) • 1912 - Goughtown Public School renamed Merrylands Public School (January) • 1912 - Holroyd Post Office renamed Merrylands (1 June) • 1912 - Council boundary changes - Prospect & Sherwood and Parramatta Borough

transfer land • 1913 - Shannon’s Brick, Tile & Pottery Works, Wentworthville established • 1914 - Prospect & Sherwood Council moves to Merrylands West • 1914 - Schools of Arts established at Wentworthville and Guildford • 1915 - Pendle Hill Progress Association formed • 1916 - Toongabbie Park Estate (Girraween) subdivision begins selling (4 March) • 1917 - Wentworthville Ratepayers Association formed • 1917 - ‘Linnwood House’ used as Boys Truant School • 1917 - Girraween Progress Association formed (24 September) • 1918 - Girraween School of Arts formed (5 January)

1920s

• 1920 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Primary School opens at Wentworthville • 1920 – St. Paul's Church of England, Wentworthville begins services • 1922 - Ward system removed (2 December) • 1922 - Prospect and Sherwood Jubilee • 1922 - Electric street lighting introduced • 1922 - Prospect and Sherwood Soldier’s Memorial unveiled for WWI fallen (9 December) • 1923 - Bonds Cotton Mill established at Wentworthville / Pendle Hill • 1924 - Pendle Hill “Bonds” Railway Station opens (12 April) • 1924 - Official Merrylands Post Office built closer to railway line; existing Merrylands Post

Office renamed Merrylands West (18 September) • 1925 - Widemere Quarry tramline opens (October) • 1927 - Prospect and Sherwood Council renamed Holroyd Municipal Council (11 January) • 1927 - Yennora Railway Station opens (6 November) • 1928 - Council boundary changes - Holroyd and Blacktown Shire transfer land

(1 January) • 1928 - Great Western Highway classified as a state highway (1 July) • 1928 - St. Andrews Presbyterian Church moved stone by stone from Parramatta to

Wentworthville • 1929 - Merrylands East Infants School established (March) • 1929 - Electrification of the rail line between Granville and Liverpool completed

(23 September)

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1930s

• 1932 - Number of Aldermen increased from six to twelve and return of Ward System (Guildford, Merrylands, Pitt & Wentworth) (2 January)

• 1932 - Position of Deputy Mayor introduced (5 January) • 1933 - St. Patrick's Catholic Parish created at Guildford • 1935 - New St Patrick’s Catholic Church opened at Guildford (08 August) • 1936 - Linnwood becomes a residential girls school for state wards • 1937 - Pitt Row Public School renamed Parramatta West Public School (December) • 1939-1945 - Holroyd's war effort (World War II)

1940s

• 1942 - St. Margaret Mary's Primary School, Merrylands opened • 1944 - Wentworthville Baby Health Centre opened (21 October) • 1945 - Cerdon Marist Sisters move into Sherwood Scrubs (January) • 1945 - Merrylands train derailment (24 January) • 1945 - Memorial trees and name plaques for 44 local WWII fallen installed along

Chertsey Street (now Memorial Avenue) 1950s

• 1950 - St. Edna's Primary School, Toongabbie opened (January) • 1951 - Catholic Parish of Sacred Heart, Westmead established (1 February) • 1951 - Catholic Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, Toongabbie established (4 February) • 1952 - Wentworthville South Infants School established (January) • 1952-3 - Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree (29 December - 9 January) • 1953 - CSIRO Sheep Biology Laboratory established at Prospect • 1953 - First local election to use the preferential voting system held; Number of Wards

increased to six (Central, Guildford, Lawson, Merrylands, Pitt & Wentworth) (5 December)

• 1955 - Electrification of the rail line between Parramatta and Blacktown completed (27 February)

• 1955 - Pendle Hill Primary School established (August) • 1956 - Sacred Heart Primary School, Westmead opened • 1956 - St. Edna's Primary School renamed St.Anthony's Primary School and relocated to

Girraween • 1956 - Guildford West Public School established (January) • 1956 - South Wentworthville Public School renamed Hilltop Road Public School (April) • 1956 - Prospect County Council responsible for providing electricity to Western Sydney • 1957 - St. Simon Stock Primary School opened • 1958 - St. Simon Stock High School, Pendle Hill opened, later renamed Newman High

School • 1958 - Pendle Hill Baby Health Centre opened • 1959 - Merrylands High School established (January) • 1959 - Nightsoil Dump in Fairfield Road replaced with Sanitary Depot in Peel Street,

Granville (March)

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1960s

• 1960 - Cerdon College established • 1962 - Ringrose Public School established (January) • 1962 - Wentworthville Leagues Club opened (12 March) • 1962 - Present Holroyd Council Chambers opened in Chertsey St, Merrylands (12 June) • 1962 - Toongabbie Baby Health Centre opened (24 July) • 1963 - Sherwood Grange Public School established (January) • 1964 - Dunrossil Special School, Merrylands West established (April) • 1964 - Wentworthville Lions Club formed (3 November) • 1965 - Pendle Hill High School established (January) • 1965 - Pilot Holroyd Public Library opens in the Guildford School of Arts (3 August) • 1965 - Wentworthville Memorial Swimming Pool opened (27 November) • 1966 - Meals-on-Wheels service established (5 December) • 1968 - Merrylands West High School established (January); renamed Holroyd High

School (March) • 1968 - Merrylands Olympic Pool opened (November) • 1969 - Council boundary changes - Holroyd and Blacktown Municipality transfer land

(1 January) • 1969 - Beresford Road Public School, Greystanes established (January)

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1970s

• 1970 - Greystanes Shopping Centre opened (3 September) • 1971 - Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society formed (24 February) • 1971 - Sydney Wool Centre established at Yennora (July) • 1972 - Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Parish established at Greystanes • 1972 - St. Simon Stock Primary School renamed Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary

School • 1972 - 7th National Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Games (12-18 March) • 1972 - Merrylands Mall (now Stocklands) completed, Kmart's second store opens at the

mall (22 November) • 1972 - Council centenary celebrations • 1973 - Merrylands Lions Club formed (26 February) • 1973 - Guildford Swimming Pool opened (14 April) • 1973 - Greystanes Community Centre, including Library and Baby Health Centre

completed • 1973 - Western Sydney Organisation of Councils (WSROC) formed (November) • 1974 - Widemere Public School established (January) • 1974 - Woodpark - parts of Guildford West, Merrylands West and Smithfield renamed

(March-April) • 1974 - Council boundary changes - Holroyd and Blacktown Municipality transfer land

between each other (1 October) • 1976 - Girraween High School established (January) • 1976 - Central Gardens Park opens at Merrylands West (10 April) • 1977 - Granville Rail Disaster (18 January) • 1977 - Inaugural Holroyd Family Festival (12 November) • 1977 - The Far Eastern and South Pacific (F.E.S.P.I.C) Games ( 20-26 November) • 1978 - Regional Library Service to serve Parramatta, Baulkham Hills and Holroyd

Councils begins (February) • 1978 - First Mayoral Prayer Dinner Held (16 August)

1980s

• 1980 - NSW State Cabinet meeting held at Holroyd Municipal Council Chambers (1 December)

• 1983 - Number of Wards reduced to three (Ward 1, Ward 2 , Ward 3) (24 September) • 1985 - Holroyd Centre opened at Merrylands (9 July) • 1987 - Sarah Daniels Court, Merrylands completed (April) • 1988 - Australian Bicentennial celebrations in Holroyd • 1988 - Council's Sanitary Depot ceases operation (28 September) • 1989 - NSW State Government Cabinet meeting held at Holroyd Municipal Council

Chambers (20 June)

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1990s

• 1991 - Holroyd becomes a City (1 January) • 1991 - Holroyd City Council Library Service opened (21 January) • 1991 - Inaugural Youth Achievement Award recipient announced (26 January) • 1991 - Present Ward Structure adopted (North, South, East & West) (14 September) • 1992 - M4 Western Motorway completed - 10km of dual carriageway between Mays Hill

and Prospect links existing sections of road (May) • 1992 - Town Clerk becomes General Manager (2 September) • 1993 - Youth Achievement Award replaced by Young Ambassadors Award (26 January) • 1993 - Aldermen become Councillors (1 July) • 1994 - Inaugural Holroyd Citizen of the Year announced (26 January) • 1999 - Newman High School, Greystanes renamed St. Paul's Catholic College • 1999 - Sydney Murugan Hindu Temple, Mays Hill officially opened (17 June) • 1999 - Civic Centre extensions, new Merrylands Central Library, and Merrylands

Community Centre officially opened (21 August) 2000s

• 2000 - Sydney Olympic Torch Relay passes through Holroyd (13 September) • 2000 - Paralympic Torch Relay passes through Holroyd (18 October) • 2001 - Holroyd – new suburb established at former Goodlet and Smith site • 2004 - Pemulwuy – new suburb at Prospect • 2005 - Warali Wali – launch of interpretive Indigenous artworks along Prospect Creek

2010s

• 2010 - M4 Motorway toll removed, ownership of road returned to NSW Government (16 February)

• 2011 - Inaugural Young Citizen of the Year Award (26 January) • 2011 – Holroyd City Council elects first female Mayor (Yvette Whitfield) (20 September)

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1791 - Settlement of Toongabbie Toongabbie is one of Australia's earliest settlements. It was the third mainland settlement area established by the Europeans, after Sydney and Parramatta. When Captain Arthur Phillip explored the area in December 1789, it was inhabited by the Toogagal band of the Dharug tribe. The name Toogagal came from the word "tuga" meaning dense forest. Governor Phillip established a government farm and convict station on 640 acres of good ground in April 1791. He named it "Toongabbe" after the Aboriginal name meaning "meeting of the waters", or "near the water". This site was first referred to as "New Grounds" and was supervised by Thomas Daveny (c1759 - 1795) who had arrived free with the First Fleet. By December of 1791 there were 500 men working at Toongabbie. Thomas Daveny worked the convicts very hard and they had cleared 200 acres by December. This gave Toongabbie a name amongst convicts as a place to be avoided if at all possible. Daveny was dismissed from his position in 1794 and replaced by Andrew Hume, father of explorer Hamilton Hume, who was born at Toongabbie. The farm was intended to help provide food for the infant colony to supplement that already being Grown at Rose Hill / Parramatta, and became the principal farm of the colony, gaining a reputation for providing high quality corn, wheat and turnips. By 1800, dissatisfaction among Irish convicts was becoming rife, and an uprising was planned at Toongabbie for August 1800. However when the authorities learned of the plan, it was abandoned. In August of 1801, Governor Philip Gidley King (3rd governor of the colony) opened the new Government Farm at Castle Hill to replace the Toongabbie Farm. The Toongabbie farm was closed and the land allocated as grants to free settlers and to convicts who had served their time. The first grant was recorded on 28 May 1793 as Grant No. 115 of 60 acres in the district of Toongabbie to John Redmond : rent : 1 shilling for every 50 acres per year commencing after 5 years. John Redmond was a former marine. The location of the third settlement and government farm is in the area now known as Third Settlement Reserve between Old Toongabbie and Winston Hills on Oakes Road. Todays Junction and Gibbon Roads were originally the "Toongabbee Road", which followed the northern boundary of the Government Farm, the 'New Grounds', that Governor Phillip established in 1791. Many more grants of land were allocated during the years following 1794, some to large landholders in the area such as the Wentworth family. Toongabbie has had a chequered history when it comes to local government. It has belonged to Blacktown Shire, Holroyd City and to Parramatta Local Government Councils at different times, and sometimes different sections simultaneously.

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1804 - Battle of Vinegar Hill On the morning of Monday 5 March 1804 men in drab convict clothes moved through the trees of Castle Hills in an area mostly unsettled, carrying guns, pitchforks and poles. At the same time, no one could miss the red coated officers and men of the NSW Corp led by Major George Johnson as they and their civilian supporters strode along the Windsor Road after a quick march from Sydney Town during the night. Governor King had been warned that a band of Irish convicts had broken out of the Castle Hill Barracks the night before with the intention of joining other rebel convicts and marching firstly on Parramatta and then on to Sydney to seize ships in the harbour and make their way to Ireland and freedom. The rebels never made it to Parramatta but turned away towards the north-west. Major Johnston caught up with them and the ensuing battle saw some 15 convicts killed and the others punished and returned to imprisonment. Many convicts in this first organised uprising in the new colony were political prisoners and members of the United Irishmen's Society - a union of Irish Catholics and Protestants seeking a united and independent Ireland. They were concentrated in the Barracks at Castle Hill to work on the Government Farm which had been set up to provide food for the Colony. This gave them the opportunity to discuss their beliefs and their dreams and to plan their bid to freedom. Unfortunately plans were easier to make than to carry out. It was very difficult to get word to the other convict barracks and to sympathisers in the towns. It was impossible to stop an informer from going to the authorities in Parramatta. Six years previously, in Wexford County, Ireland, a similar battle had been fought at a place called Vinegar Hill - the name was transferred to this battle on the outskirts of Sydney. The original battle on 21 June 1798 at Enniscorthy was a victory for the British and many Irishmen were killed or executed and many more were transported to the new colony of Australia. The soldiers were under the leadership of Major George Johnston. Some of the armed citizens from the Parramatta area joined them. When the opposing sides met, a Catholic Priest, Father Dixon tried to negotiate a truce without bloodshed. The Irish leaders thought that Major Johnston had agreed to talk and stepped up to him. He took them prisoner and ordered his troops to fire on the rebels. While the government forces were greatly outnumbered they were much better armed and they had no problem in claiming immediate victory and the convicts scattered during the confusion. Official records of the day record fifteen rebel deaths on the field and over three hundred captured. None of the Government forces were killed or wounded. Phillip Cunningham was badly wounded and was hung immediately for his part in the uprising. William Johnston and two fellow convicts were hung at Castle Hill. There were five other hangings as well as severe sentences of lashings.

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The name Vinegar Hill was also used 50 years later as the password at the Eureka Stockade. The survivors of the battle from both camps and their children after them were the pioneers of this nation. Few of them had a choice in whether or not they came to this isolated land so far from all they knew. A great many on both sides stayed and became worthy citizens of a new country where differences could be settled without the bloodshed suffered at Vinegar Hill.

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1872 - Establishment of the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Municipal Council of the Borough of Parramatta on 2 January 1872, a letter was received from Mr. A. T. Holroyd, informing the Council that landowners outside the western and southern boundaries of the Borough were “desiring to be incorporated into a municipality”, and requested that the town surveyor mark out the boundary line, as there was doubt about the exact boundary of the Parramatta Municipality. Parramatta Council, replied to Mr. Holroyd, in a letter dated 4 January, instructing him “to communicate with the Government on the subject”. At the Parramatta Council meeting of 30 January, a second letter from Mr. Holroyd was received, thanking them for their reply and stating that he would not “communicate with the Government”, as “the Council ought to be in a position to comply with the request” for a line to be pegged out between two boundary stones located in the south east and south west corners of the Parramatta Municipality. The Mayor of Parramatta informed the Council that the town surveyor had already pegged out the line. Council moved that this information be forwarded to Mr. Holroyd. On 5 February 1872, a petition signed by 87 property holders, representing a population of 500 people, was forwarded to the Government, requesting that the locality, an area of 14 square miles, be incorporated into a Municipality to be known as the Municipal District of Prospect and Sherwood. The petition was granted by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson KCMG, exactly five months later on 5 July 1872. A preliminary meeting of ratepayers of the new Municipality was held on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 July, at Mr. Joseph Whitworth's cottage on the Western Road, near Parramatta (now Great Western Highway, Mays Hill), to make arrangements for the nomination and election of six Aldermen and two Auditors. Mr. Andrew Payten was elected chairman of the meeting, where Mr. Holroyd, at “considerable length”, explained various clauses of the Municipalities Act. Mr. Richard Harper JP was recommended to His Excellency the Governor for appointment as Returning Officer. Mr. Harper, duly nominated as the Returning Officer for the first election, gave notice that the nominations for the election would take place at 12 noon, on Monday 26 August, at Mr. Whitworth's Cottage. Mr. Harper gave instruction that any two electors may nominate one or more candidates for election, on the condition that they did not nominate more candidates than vacancies. Nomination documents containing the full name, occupation and address of the candidate(s), and similar details and signatures of the two electors needed to be received by Mr. Harper seven days before the nomination day. Twelve candidates were nominated to fill the six Aldermen positions.

• Arthur T. Holroyd, Barrister-at-law, Sherwood • Samuel Crook, Freeholder, Sherwood Grange • Walter Lamb, Farmer, Greystanes, Prospect • Andrew Payten, Freeholder, Dartford [sic], Parramatta • John Good, Freeholder, Maryville Domain, Parramatta

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• William Fullagar, Freeholder, Western-road • John Booth, Farmer, Prospect • Robert L. Dunn, Freeholder, George-street, Parramatta • Henry T. Jones, Cabinetmaker, Old Racecourse, Parramatta • Henry Whittaker, Freeholder, Sherwood • Hugh Taylor Butcher, Church-street, Parramatta; and • John C. Rutter, Gentleman, Harborne Villa, Parramatta

John William Pass, Ironmonger, Parramatta; and Joseph Whitworth, Storekeeper, George Street, Parramatta, were both duly nominated for the two Auditor positions. Mr. Harper then gave notice that a poll would take place on Thursday 29 August, at Whitworth's Cottage, commencing at 8.00 am and closing at 3.00 pm. 610 votes were cast in the election, with Messrs Holroyd, Lamb, Good, Booth, Payten and Crook being duly elected as Aldermen. Messrs Whitworth and Pass were declared duly elected as Auditors. The first Council meeting was held at the residence of Richard Harper at Church Street Parramatta on Tuesday 3 September 1872, Mr Harper also acting as Returning Officer and Chair of the meeting. After the declarations of the new Aldermen were handed in, the focus of the meeting turned to electing a Mayor. Ald. Holroyd moved, with Ald. Crook seconding, that Ald. Lamb be the first Mayor. However, Ald. Lamb declined the honour, moving, with Ald. Payten seconding, that Ald. Holroyd be the first Mayor of the Municipality. The motion was carried unanimously. The second Council meeting, held on Friday 13 September, and subsequent meetings, were held at Mr. Whitworth’s Cottage, Western Road. The business of the second meeting was primarily about putting in place the infrastructure to properly run Council business – setting the dates and times for future meetings (5.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month), granting the Mayor the authority to make arrangements with Mr. Whitworth to rent a room for meetings, making arrangements to advertise for a Council Clerk and tenders for two persons to conduct valuations on properties in the Municipality, to apply for an overdraft of £100 with the Commercial Banking Corporation, and to procure a corporate seal. At the third meeting held on 18 September, Council agreed to an annual rental of £12 to be paid to Mr Whitworth for the use of a room as Council Chambers, and appointed Mr. William Alfred Brodie as Temporary Council Clerk at a salary of £25 per year and Ald. Good was appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Council. This meeting was then adjourned to 25 September, where the new Clerk commenced his duties. Council was required to readvertise the tender for the Valuers, and on 2 October Council appointed Messrs William Drew and Richard Amos as Valuers at £10.2.6 each. The Council also moved that the Council Clerk attend the Council Chambers between 4.00pm and 5.30pm each Wednesday, and that Mr. Brodie find a security guarantee of £100, which Council would pay.

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After Council held inspections of roads in the Municipality on 16 and 19 October, funding for two road work projects was approved at its 6 November meeting. The first, to cover with shale the approaches of two bridges on the road leading from the Western Road towards Mr. Oakes’ orchard, at the cost of three pence. £3 was also allocated for clumping and clearing of the Old Prospect Road. At the 13 November meeting, £134 was estimated as being required for works to be carried out in the Municipality for the following year. Council set rates at eight pence in the pound, on the assessed value of the rateable property, at a Special Meeting on 19 November, and then set 8 December as the date for appeals against the valuations on rateable property. The Council Clerk was directed to give due notice of this by advertisement. Rates were to be paid 30 days from the date of the notice. The 4 December meeting primarily dealt with the payment of accounts, though Ald. Booth presented a petition from “certain inhabitants of Orchardleigh”, which was received. A Special Meeting was held on 10 December, where it was agreed to hold future meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, from 5.30pm. A motion was put forward to employ a Surveyor, to make a map or plan of the Municipality, though an amendment to this motion, directing the Mayor to apply to the Surveyor General for a map or plan of Prospect & Sherwood was carried instead. Ald. Good and Payten were authorised to spend £15, for the roads on the north side of the Western Road. The last business of Council in 1872 was the payment of accounts. Prospect and Sherwood Municipal Council has seen many changes to its structure since 1872. The number of Aldermen increased to nine, and later to its present 12 Councillors. A full-time Deputy Mayor was introduced in the 1930s. Elections were originally held on an annual basis, with two-to-three Aldermen standing for election on a rotating basis before the more familiar full-Council elections were introduced. Wards were established to better represent all areas of the Municipality. These have also changed in number over the years from three, back to none, to four, six, three again, and presently number four once more. These Wards were originally named after localities or local landholders, but now sport the more practical compass-point designations. As services to the community increased more staff were employed, new Council chambers were built to meet the increasing needs for space. The first purpose-built chambers constructed from the material of an old toll bar, was built on what is now the corner of the Great Western Highway and Burnett Street, Mays Hill. When this outlived its usefulness, a larger structure was built at the same location. A new Council chambers and community hall were built in what is now Merrylands West, before Council moved to its present Merrylands CBD location and this building has since been extended. The borders of the Council have changed only slightly on several occasions since its inception, with land ceded to or from Parramatta and Blacktown Councils. Of course the most notable

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change has been its name, changed to Holroyd Municipal Council in 1927, and a change in status to Holroyd City Council in 1991. Sources: Municipal District of Prospect and Sherwood, Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 20 August 1872, p. 1, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13262245, retrieved 9 March 2011. Parramatta, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 6 January 1872, p. 5, Trove, National Library of Australia, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13250340, retrieved 9 March 2011. Parramatta, Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 31 January 1872, p. 6, Trove, National Library of Australia, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13251690, retrieved 9 March 2011. Parramatta: Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood, Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 6 September 1872, p. 2, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28414694, retrieved 9 March 2011. Parramatta: Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood.- Meeting of Ratepayers, Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 26 July 1872, p. 6, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13261084, retrieved 9 March 2011. Prospect and Sherwood Municipal Election, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 31 August 1872, p. 7, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13262858, retrieved 9 March 2011. The minutes of meetings for the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood mentioned in this article are available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library, cnr Miller and Newman Streets.

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1927 - Holroyd Municipal Council Municipal District of Prospect and Sherwood was established in 1872, with the Council operating from the Western Road (now Great Western Highway, Mays Hill) until 1914, when a new Town Hall was built in Arcadia Street, Merrylands (now Merrylands West), to provide a more central location for the residents of the Municipality. Prospect and Sherwood, was named after Prospect Hill, located on the western edge of the Municipality and Sherwood Scrubs, Arthur Holroyd’s large property located in the central part of the Municipality. By 1926 the main population of Prospect was located in the Blacktown Shire and though the Sherwood Scrubs house still existed, the property had long been subdivided. At the 5 October 1926 regular meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood, Ald. Harry Walker Benson moved the following Motion: “That application be made to the Governor, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1919, Section 14, through the Minister of Local Government, to alter the name of the Municipality from Prospect & Sherwood to “Holroyd”, and that the Seal of the Council be attached to documents where necessary.” Ald. William Freame seconded the above motion. Ald. Samuel Davison moved an amendment, which was seconded by Ald. Frederick Jones, “that the name be shortened to ‘Prospect’”. The amendment was lost, and the original motion was carried. The new name of the Municipality also needed to be approved by the Postmaster General’s Office, so it did not compete with names of localities in other districts, which had ruled out the use of “Sherwood”, because it was also a locality in the Macleay River district, on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Holroyd had been suggested to perpetuate the name of Arthur Todd Holroyd, the driving force behind the creation of the Council, and the Council’s first Mayor. Also the nearby post office, formerly Holroyd’s dairy, located on the corner of Merrylands and Fowler Roads (now Merrylands West Shopping Centre), had been called Holroyd from 1898 until 1912 when its name was changed to Merrylands, and then to Merrylands West in 1924. Despite these official name changes, many residents still referred to the locality as Holroyd or Holroyd Village. In response to a protest from the Loftus Park Progress Association about the cost to the Municipality of the proposed name change, the Town Clerk A. D. Hume, reported at the 19 October meeting, “that the proposed change … would be accompanied by practically no expense what-ever”. The Town Clerk indicated that the current supply of stationery would continue to be used and only a few shillings would be required for rubber stamps. The Town Clerk also responded to a “story”, saying that there was no need to alter all of the title deeds of properties in the Municipality because of the change of name. At the regular meeting of Council held on 14 December, Ald. Jones, Davison and Pauley moved the following Motion:

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“That the resolution of 5th October, 1926, with regard to the alteration of the name of the Municipality be rescinded.” The motion was lost. A proclamation dated 11 January 1927, by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Dudley Rawson Stratford de Chair, was published in the Government Gazette, altering the name of the Municipality of “Prospect and Sherwood” to “Holroyd”. A letter from the Local Government Department indicating that the proclamation had been published was received at the meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Holroyd, held on 25 January 1927. “No action” was taken by Council and business went on as usual. Sources: ‘Local Government: Changing a Name’, Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 14 October 1926, p. 6, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16334535, retrieved 8 March 2011. NSW Historical Officer, Merrylands Post Office History, Australia Post, Sydney, March 1981, pp. 3-6, 10. ‘Prospect and Sherwood’, Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 11 November 1926, p. 6, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16317355, retrieved 8 March 2011. ‘Prospect and Sherwood’, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 18 December 1926, p. 16, Trove, National Library of Australia, Canberra, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16341416, retrieved 8 March 2011. The minutes of meetings for the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood and the Municipality of Holroyd, mentioned in this article are available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library, cnr Miller and Newman Streets.

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1952-53 - Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree Between 29 December 1952 and 9 January 1953, over 11,000 Scouts, accompanied by 2,000 Scoutmasters (including 241 Lady Cubmasters) from 16 nations and every State in Australia converged on Greystanes, at the bottom of Prospect Hill (now the suburb of Pemulwuy) to attend the Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree. The Boy Scouts Association selected the site after inspecting several locations across Sydney and holding preliminary meetings with Holroyd Municipal Council and Blue Metal Quarries Ltd, the owner of the property who agreed to loan the Scouts the use of the 250-acre site. The Scouts requested the co-operation of the Council in preparing the site for the Jamboree. On 27 November 1951, Holroyd Municipal Council resolved to give its “whole-hearted support and co-operation in regards to the proposed Pan-Pacific Jamboree.” Deputy Mayor, Ald. O. D. Young summed up the general view of Council towards the Jamboree when he said, “This is a big thing for the municipality that this site had been selected.” Teams of scouts, volunteers and staff from Council and other utility services, spent months clearing the land, installing water, electricity, lighting, roads and other amenities to make life comfortable. Holroyd Council oversaw the formation of several local committees to co-ordinate volunteers who provided food, tours and other services for the boys and girls during the Jamboree. Council was aided by residents and business people from across the metropolitan area and by neighbouring Councils. The Federal Government also sought to draw public attention to the importance of the international gathering, by commissioning a commemorative postage stamp. The 3½d stamp was released on 30 November 1952 and was available from all Australian post offices for a two month period. For most of the young scouts the adventure started a lot sooner than 29 December, with scouts leaving home to get to Sydney by boat, plane, train or bus. Camp sites on country properties and billeting at community halls, or in some cases, private homes was arranged to house the interstate and overseas scouts before and after the official Jamboree period. The first wave of scouts descended on the Holroyd district by train on Sunday 28 December, disembarking at various local railway stations. Canteens were established by the local volunteers at the stations to greet the boys (in some cases in the very early hours of the morning) with a hot ‘cuppa’ and a bun, before they were ferried by bus to the camp site which they would call home for the next 12 days. The remaining 4,000 scouts arrived at camp the following day. On arrival,

Commemorative Pan- Pacific Scout Jamboree postage stamp, issued in November 1952.

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the scouts were met by the Mayor, Ald. George Maunder and Town Clerk, Phil Arnett, with another cup of tea, hot dog and bun, before being directed to their areas to set up camp.

The scouts set up a tent township at Greystanes. Services at the camp site included a newsagent, post office, telephone exchange, four bank branches, a travel agent to book tours, various canteens, a scout shop, a photographic shop and even fire brigade, hospital and ambulance facilities, “just in case.”

Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree,

Greystanes, 1953 Photographer: Tony Maston

Map of the camp issued to the Scouts and guests in 1952-53

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A daily Jamboree News newspaper was also published, to report the goings-on around camp, greetings from scouts around the world, and advertising the many activities and services available to the scouts. Activities for the scouts included guided tours in and around Sydney, open-air films, performances by the then National Opera of Australia and Sydney Symphony Orchestra, art exhibitions, camp fires, games, displays and performances of the various cultures represented at the Jamboree. A number of “Open Days” were held for the public to come and inspect the camp. Despite a busy schedule, the scouts were encouraged to take every opportunity to mix with other scouts and visit the other troops.

On New Year’s Eve 1952, thousands of Sydneysiders lined the streets to watch 2,000 Australian scouts take part in a Grand March through Sydney. All were back at camp in time to see in 1953. 2,000 parents and guests swelled the numbers at camp to 14,000 to take part in the first Grand Campfire of the Jamboree, with scout troops from several countries demonstrating their traditional dances. It was reported (tongue in cheek) that the celebrations at midnight could be heard in Parramatta! On New Year’s Day, there was little time for a sleep in, with the official opening of the Jamboree, performed by the Governor and Chief Scout of New South Wales, Sir John Northcott. Nearly 20,000 people (the largest scout gathering in Australia at the time) crammed into the Jamboree Arena, with nearly every scout marching past the Governor, who read a message from Queen Elizabeth II. Messages were also read from Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire, and from scouting nations around the world. Displays by various contingents were performed for the rest of the afternoon.

On the weekend of 3 and 4 January, the population of the camp increased by one with the Governor staying at the camp in scout uniform. Saturday saw 7,500 Wolf Cubs from around New South Wales arrive at the camp to put on a performance for the scouts and the Governor. The following day the Governor invested 56 scouts with the Queen’s Scout award and presented them with certificates signed by Queen Elizabeth II.

Grand March in Sydney,

31 December 1952 Photo donated by K. McCormick

Front Page of Issue No. 1

Jamboree News, Tuesday, December 30, 1952.

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The official March Past and Closing Ceremony was performed on the afternoon of 8 January 1953, where all the Contingent Leaders were presented with a special Jamboree emblem to take back to their country. Approximately 10 miles of sausages (if laid end to end) had been consumed. The canteen manager reported that during the Jamboree 135,000 bottles of soft drink and over 100,000 ice-creams had been purchased on site, although “sales of soap were not very high.” Despite the large number of young boys and girls attending the Jamboree, the behaviour of the scouts on excursions was complimented on by locals, with only a small number of injuries reported. The Jamboree Chief, Major E. A. Lloyd, said:

“We’ve had some wonderful times here together at

Greystanes… and I know that the experiences you have had will be remembered for many years.

…I hope you will take away with you the grand idea of

friendship between nations which Scouting, played as it has been played at this Jamboree, can do so much to foster.”

The 1952-3 Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree made press coverage all over Australia, with scouts being interviewed by, or performing on, Sydney radio stations and a movietone newsreel of the event appeared in cinemas around Australia. You can read more about the lead-up and activities of the Jamboree from contemporary Australian newspapers here.

Major E. A. Lloyd Jamboree Chief

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‘Today at Greystanes with Paterson’,

cartoon by Stuart Paterson that appeared on page 1 of the Jamboree News,

No. 7 , Tuesday, January 6, 1953.

Scouts at Merrylands Station after Pan Pacific Jamboree at Greystanes

Date: 9 January 1953 Photographer : Tony Maston

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Sources: 1951 'PAN-PACIFIC JAMBOREE.', The Biz (Fairfield, NSW : 1928 - 1954), 6 December, p. 1, viewed 5 December, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75593327 1952 'PAN PACIFIC SCOUT JAMBOREE.', Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 20 October, p. 8, viewed 29 November, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63296569 1952 'PAN-PACIFIC JAMBOREE.', The Biz (Fairfield, NSW : 1928 - 1954), 26 June, p. 8, viewed 5 December, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75595881 1952 'Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree.', The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), 7 December, p. 3, viewed 29 November, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18505413 1952 'Stamp For Jamboree.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 6 October, p. 2, viewed 5 December, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18284933 ’20,000 at Opening of Greystanes Jamboree’, Jamboree News, No. 4, Greystanes, NSW, Friday, January 2, 1953, p. 1. Arnett, Phil, Rep.- 52/96.- Boy Scouts’ Pan-Pacific Jamboree at Greystanes – Monday, 29th December, 1952 to Friday, 9th January, 1953, town Clerk’s Reports, Holroyd Municipal Council, 24 June 1952, pp. 2-3. C.6.- Boy Scout Association.- Pan-pacific Jamboree, Correspondence List, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, N.S.W., 27 November 1951, pp. 2-3. Min.- 1877.- 6.- Minutes of Meeting, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, N.S.W., 27 November 1951, p. 1. ’Governor presents Q. Scouts awards’, Jamboree News, No. 7, Greystanes, NSW, Tuesday, January 6, 1953, p. 1. ‘Hotdogs at Snack Meal’, Jamboree News, No. 1, Greystanes, NSW, Tuesday, December 30, 1952, p. 1. ’Huge display put on by 7000 Wolf Cubs’, Jamboree News, No. 6, Greystanes, NSW, Monday, January 5, 1953, p. 1. ’Jamboree Chief’s closing message’, Jamboree News, No. 9, Greystanes, NSW, Thursday, January 8, 1953, p. 1. Maston, Tony, Pan Pacific Scout Jamboree Greystanes, 1953, Colour photograph. ‘New year Welcomed: Night Long Celebration’, Jamboree News, No. 4, Greystanes, NSW, Friday, January 2, 1953, p. 1.

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‘Operation Pan-Pacific: Scouts Settle Down in Town of Tents’, Jamboree News, No. 1, Greystanes, NSW, Tuesday, December 30, 1952, p. 1. ‘Sydney Cheers 2000 Jamboree Marchers: Inspiring Spectacle’, Jamboree News, No. 3, Greystanes, NSW, Thursday, January 1, 1953, p. 1. More photos and images from the Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree are available on the Holroyd City Library Service Flickr page. All nine issues of the Jamboree News, published during the 1952-3 Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree at Greystanes, are available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library, cnr Miller and Newman Streets. The minutes of meetings for the Municipality of Holroyd, mentioned in this article are also available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room.

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1978 - The Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner Based on ‘A Brief History of the Holroyd Mayoral Pr ayer Dinner’, by Holroyd Christian Churches In 1976 Ald. Allan Ezzy of Holroyd Municipal Council travelled to Florida USA, as a member of a Group Study Exchange team, on a Rotary International Scholarship to study law enforcement, local government, community and church life. During his visit, Ald. Ezzy attended an annual Presidential Prayer Breakfast, held in a local high school gymnasium. These annual breakfasts are hosted by the President of the United States in Washington D.C. and copied by every municipality in that country, where after a meal, a Church leader addresses the political, civic, business leaders and citizenry. Upon his return to Australia, Ald. Ezzy discussed with the Mayor of Holroyd, Ald. Bob Devlin, the Rev. Brian Sears and other members of the local clergy, about establishing a Prayer Breakfast for Holroyd. Though the idea was supported, it was felt that there would be a better attendance if the breakfast became an evening function. The first Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner was organised by the Holroyd Community Club (the Social Club of St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Merrylands West) and endorsed by Merrylands Ministers’ Fraternal, and was held on the evening of Wednesday 16 August 1978, at the Wentworthville Bowling Club, with an attendance of about 140 “persons”, though the decision had been made to continue the tradition of the American Prayer Breakfasts of only inviting men to this event. Following complaints from the ladies at being excluded, future Mayoral Prayer Dinners were held with ladies invited from at least the 1980 Prayer Dinner, though at its meeting on 20 January 1981, Council suggested to the Guildford-Merrylands Ministers’ Fraternal, that women be allowed to take part in the formal proceedings of the evening. The Ministers’ Fraternal agreed and Sister Leonie SM, from the Marist Sisters’ Convent, Merrylands, gave the Vote of Thanks at the 1981 Mayoral Prayer Dinner at Guildford Leagues Club. This event continued to be organised by the Ministers’ Fraternal, with the support of Council up to the 1984 Prayer Dinner, after which Holroyd Council wrote to the Ministers’ Fraternal, asking if they were interested in having a committee of clergy and members of the public to organise future Dinners. Several meetings were held, with the Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner Organising Committee established at a meeting held at the Council Chambers on 11 April 1985, consisting of: President, Rev. John Wakefield, Greystanes Uniting Church Secretary, Mr. Jim Drury, Merrylands Assistant Secretary, Mr. John Tompsett, Merrylands Treasurer, Rev. Duncan Pawley, St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Merrylands Publicity Officer, Mr. Tom Young, Guildford Baptist Church

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For some years Holroyd Council had provided donations under Section 504 of the Local Government Act 1919, to help offset setup and room changes for the event. At a Council meeting held on 7 July 1992, Ald. F. Khaya, J. T. A. Morris and P. T. J. Herlinger moved a Motion of Rescission in relation to a decision to pay an S504 donation at the previous Council meeting. This motion was withdrawn at the meeting, and the $300 payment went ahead. At the Council meeting held on 16 March 1993, Ald. A. M. Pigram asked for an Income and Expense statement for the past Mayoral Prayer Dinner. Council was advised that the event was not organised by Council, but was arranged by the Ministers’ Fraternal and that no financial records were kept by Council. However, Aldermen (later Councillors) and Council staff continued to assist in the organisation of the Prayer Dinners, and Council continued to provide financial assistance for printing. At a meeting held on 16 May 2000, Holroyd Council resolved to provide funding through the Minor Assistance Program to help fund a number of young people to attend the next Prayer Dinner. The Holroyd Ministers’ Fellowship reviewed the 2000 Prayer Dinner, complimenting the community related approach of the evening and especially of the high level of youth participation, made possible through the financial assistance of the Council and other “outside sources”. To build on the “community related approach” and to encourage attendance by even more young people, the Holroyd Ministers’ Fellowship and the Mayor, Clr. Mark Pigram agreed to rename the event the Holroyd Community Prayer Dinner in 2001, with a panel discussion organised rather than an address by a guest speaker, and a change of venue to reduce costs and make the evening more affordable for a wider range of people. On 21 August 2001, Holroyd Council once again resolved to provide Minor Assistance Funding for 10 youths to attend the dinner. The Dinner reverted back to being called the Mayoral Prayer Dinner from the 2003 event. Mr. Wilf Moreman of St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Merrylands and Clr. Allan Ezzy of Holroyd City Council were honoured at the 2010 Dinner for having attended every Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner in its 32 year history. The Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner continues to be a popular event in the Holroyd calendar. Since 1978 it has been estimated that over 5,000 residents, clergy, politicians, and members of Council have attended the annual Mayoral Prayer Dinner and listened to many prominent speakers delivering the Christian message, or relating as Christians their experience in public life. The following is a summary of the event, listing the locations, cost, Mayor and guest speakers for each Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner: 7.00pm, Wednesday 16 August 1978 Venue: Wentworthville Bowling Club. Cost $6.00 Mayor: Ald. Robert W. D. ‘Bob’ Devlin Speaker: Rev. Canon John Chapman, evangelist and Canon, St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney 1979

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Venue: Guildford Leagues Club. Mayor: Ald. Bob Devlin Speaker: Unknown 7.00pm,Wednesday2July1980 Venue: MerrylandsBowlingClub. Cost$6.00 Mayor:Ald.BobDevlin Speaker: Most Rev. E. Clancy, Roman Catholic Bishop of Canberra 7.00pm, Tuesday 14 July 1981 Venue: Guildford Leagues Club Speaker: Rev. Graham Hardy, Moderator of the Uniting Church in New South Wales 7.00pm, Tuesday 13 July 1982 Venue: Greystanes Community Centre. Cost $8.00 Mayor: Ald. Bob Devlin OAM Speaker: Rev. Stewart J. Clements, Moderator NSW Presbyterian Church 7.00pm, Tuesday 12 July 1983 Venue: Greystanes Community Centre Mayor: Ald. Bob Devlin OAM Speaker: Rev. John Edmondstone, Pastor Northside Baptist Church, President Elect – Baptist Union of NSW and ACT, and radio personality Tuesday 12 June 1984. Venue: Greystanes Community Centre. Cost $8.50 Mayor: Ald. Henry L. “Harry” Maley OAM Speaker: Rev. Gordon Moyes Director Wesley Central Mission Sydney. 7.00pm, Tuesday 30 July 1985Cost $10.00 Mayor: Ald. Keith M. Warnock Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gordon Dicker Moderator Uniting Church 7.00pm, Tuesday 29 July 1986 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands.,br>Cost $12.00 Mayor: Ald. Allan G. Ezzy Speaker: Rev. Dr. Peter Jensen, Principal Moore Theological College 7.00pm, Tuesday 28 July 1987 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $13.00 Mayor: Ald. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Cardinal Sir James Freeman, retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney

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7.00pm, Tuesday 26 July 1988 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $15.00 Mayor: Ald. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Rev. Noreen Towers, Director, Edward Eager Lodge for the Homeless 7.00pm, Thursday 20 July 1989 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $18.00 Mayor: Ald. Graham C. Gard Speaker: Rev. Lance Shilton, past Dean St Andrews Church of England, Sydney 7.00pm, Tuesday 31 July 1990 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $16.00 Mayor: Ald. Graham Gard OAM Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gordon Moyes, Director, Wesley Central Mission 7.00pm, Tuesday 30 June 1991 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $18.00 Mayor: Ald. Robert N. ‘Bob’ Downing Speaker: Rt. Rev. Bishop Peter Watson, Anglican Bishop Western Sydney 7.00pm, Tuesday 28 July 1992 Venue: Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $18.00 Mayor: Ald. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Hon. Johno Johnson MLC, Former President Legislative Council of NSW Parliament 7.00pm, Tuesday 27 July 1993 Venue: Banksia Room, Wentworthville Community Centre. Cost $18.00 Mayor: Ald. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Rev. Fr. John Sweeney SSG, OAM, Parish Priest, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Greystanes 7.00pm, Tuesday 26 July 1994 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville Community Centre. Cost $19.00 Mayor: Clr. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Mr. Bruce Baird MLA, Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads 7.00pm, Tuesday 25 July 1995 Venue: The Banksia Reception Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $20.00 Mayor: Clr. Stuart Graham

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Speaker: Mr. Stephen O’Doherty MP, Shadow Minister for Education and Training, and former Radio Commentator 7.00pm, Tuesday 30 July 1996 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $21.00 Mayor: Clr. Stuart Graham Speaker: Mr. Graham Wade, Director - Pilgrim International Communications 7.00pm, Tuesday 29 July 1997 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $22.00 Mayor: Clr. Stuart Graham Speaker: Mr. Steve Raymond, Radio station 2WS owner and TV personality 7.00pm, Tuesday 28 July 1998 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $25.00 Mayor: Clr. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Dr. Clifford Hughes, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of RPA Hospital and Past-President of Baptist Churches of NSW 7.00pm, Tuesday 27 July 1999 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $25.00 Mayor: Clr. Allan Ezzy Speaker: Mr. Robert Fitzgerald AM, Community Services Commission 7.00pm, Tuesday 25 July 2000 Venue: Banksia Centre, Wentworthville. Cost $28.00 (inc. GST) Mayor: Clr. Peter Herlinger Speaker: Rev. Graham Long, Minister, Pendle Hill Church of Christ, and Director, Statewide Welfare Ministry - Churches of Christ Community Services 7.00pm, Tuesday 9 October 2001 Holroyd Community Prayer Dinner Venue: The Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $25.00 (inc. GST) Mayor: Clr. A. M. “Mark” Pigram Speakers: Panel discussion led by Mr. Garry McMahon , Director, Life After Prisons, on drug abuse and youth suicide prevention in the community 7.00pm, Tuesday 23 July 2002 Holroyd Community Prayer Dinner

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Venue: The Holroyd Centre, Merrylands. Cost $27.00 (inc. GST) Mayor: Clr. Malcolm M. “Mal” Tulloch Speaker: Rev. Sam Abalo, Senior Pastor Living Word Centre 7.00pm, Tuesday 9 September 2003 Venue: Aphrodite’s Seafood Restaurant, Merrylands. Cost $30.00 Mayor: Clr. Mal Tulloch Speaker: Fr. Chris Riley, Youth Off The Streets 7.00pm, Tuesday 31 August 2004 Venue: Merrylands RSL. Cost $30.00 Mayor: Clr. John H. Brodie Speaker: Rev. Dr. Ross Clifford, Principal Morling Theological College, President Australian Baptists, Radio Personality and Author 7.00pm, Tuesday 30 August 2005 Venue: Merrylands RSL. Cost $30.00 Mayor: Clr. John H. Brodie. Speaker: Superintendent Garry Raymond OAM, NSW Police 29 August 2006 Venue: Merrylands RSL. Cost $30.00 Mayor: Clr. Allan Ezzy APM. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Barry Chant, Wesley Mission Academic, theologian and author 28 August 2007 Venue: Merrylands RSL. Cost $35.00 Mayor: Clr Dr. John Brodie. Speaker: Mr Phil Glendenning, Director Edmund Rice Institute and prominent Human Rights advocate. 7.00pm, Tuesday 26 August 2008 Venue: Swan Room, Merrylands RSL. Cost $35.00 Mayor: Clr. Dr. John Brodie Speaker: Mrs Lucy Maguire, Holroyd Council multi-cultural officer 7:00pm, Tuesday 26 August 2009 Venue: Swan Room, Merrylands RSL. Cost $37.00

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Mayor: Clr. Gregory J. “Greg” Cummings Speaker: Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta 7.00pm, Tuesday 31 August 2010 Venue: Swan Room, Merrylands RSL. Cost $35.00 Mayor: Clr. John F. Perry Speaker: Andrew Scipione, NSW Police Commissioner 7.00pm, Tuesday 30 August 2011 Venue: Swan Room, Merrylands RSL. Cost $35.00 Mayor: Clr. Peter J. Monaghan Speaker: Hon. Paul Green MLC 7.00 pm, Tuesday 28 August 2012 Venue: Swan Room, Merrylands RSL Cost $37.50 Mayor: Clr. Yvette Whitfield Speaker: Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta Sources: A brief History of the Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner, Holroyd Christian Churches, http://www.hnlc.org.au/holroyd-churches/history_mayoral_prayer_dinner.htm, retrieved 1 March 2011. Holroyd City Herald, Edition #2, 2008, Holroyd City Council, Merrylands, p. 2, Holroyd Herald 2008 Edition 2, retrieved 9 May 2011. Rensford, Brian, From Brian Rensford re upcoming dinner, e-mail to HHC – Mayor’s Office, 7 June 2001. Russell, R. K., C 23, Mr R. K. Russell, Correspondence List, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, 8 July, 1980, p. 17. Wilson, I. R., Rep. 78/229.- Prayer Dinner, Town Clerk’s Reports, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, 22 August, 1978, p. 3. Wilson, I. R., Rep. 81/240.-Mayoral Prayer Dinner, Town Clerk’s Reports, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, 21 July, 1981, p. 3. Various invitation cards and programmes for Mayoral Prayer Dinners from 1978 – 2005. The minutes of meetings for Holroyd Municipal Council and Holroyd City Council mentioned in this article are available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library, cnr Miller and Newman Streets.

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1991 - Holroyd becomes a City The Premier of New South Wales, Nick Greiner, accepted an invitation by Holroyd Municipal Council to hold a State Cabinet meeting at the Council Chambers, Merrylands, and advised that this meeting would take place from 9.00am on 20 June 1989, and that submissions by Council to be considered by Cabinet were required by the Premier’s Department by 19 May.

A Special Meeting of Council was held on 12 May 1989, to finalise arrangements for the Cabinet meeting and to discuss and prioritise Council’s submissions to the meeting.

One of the submissions approved by Council to put to Cabinet was for proclamation of Holroyd Municipal Council as a City by the NSW Governor. Council’s submission to support this action stated that:

“1. It is in the interests of the residents; and

2. Having regard to the circumstances, including – geographic location, financial stability, sound management, keen community involvement and the natural and man-made boundaries

It is appropriate to have the Municipality of Holroyd proclaimed a City.”

In August 1989, the Hon. David Hay MBE MP, Minister for Local Government and Planning, wrote to the Mayor of Holroyd, Ald. Graham Gard OAM, to confirm details of several matters raised at the Cabinet meeting. In relation to the proposed submission for proclamation as a City, the Minister advised:

“The government is concerned to safeguard the integrity of the terms “municipality” and “city”, and all applications for City status submitted under paragraph (1) of Section II (2) of the Local Government Act will be reviewed sympathetically, but very carefully.”

Part II, Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1919, stated that the NSW Government may proclaim as a City a Municipality, which:

(a) Has a population of at least 25,000 persons and which is an independent centre of population and is not a suburb, whether residential, industrial, commercial or maritime, of any other Municipality or centre of population;

(b) Has a population of at least 150,000 persons, and which has a distinct character and entity as a centre of population; or

(c) Does not comply with paragraph (a) or (b), but in relation to which the Governor is, having regard to the circumstances of the case, of the opinion that it is in the interests of the residents of the Municipality to do so.

Council promoted itself as a Municipality with 13 suburbs, located in the “geographical centre of the Sydney Metropolitan Region.” The Council founded as the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood 117 years previously, had a population of 78,237 at the 1986 Census, and was estimated to be nearing 80,000 people.

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By 1989, besides Holroyd, Auburn and Baulkham Hills, all the then present or former member Councils of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) had achieved City status.

The Minister concluded his advice on the proposed proclamation:

“The Council’s formal application should be submitted at least six months before the time when a decision is desired. Any application which the Council may make will receive careful consideration.”

Holroyd Municipal Council commissioned Inhaus Productions Pty Ltd to prepare the submission documents to attain City status. The draft document was presented to Council on 20 March 1990 for consideration in Committee of the Whole, with the recommendation that the final copy be hand delivered by the Mayor to the Department of Local Government.

The submission provided an overview of Holroyd’s history, achievements, population, residential development, commercial & industrial interests, public transport & traffic management, financial planning & entrepreneurial activities, health services, recreation facilities and community participation. The submission concluded:

“This Council steadfastly believes that Holroyd has the necessary qualifications to receive City status. Such proclamation will reinforce community involvement, give credence to the accomplishments of the many citizens and business people who have made Holroyd what it is today, and would give unequalled inspiration for the achievement of excellence in government management and community spirit.

We welcome the future as a proud City!”

On 24 April 1990, the Mayor, Ald. Gard OAM, delivered Council’s submission to the Minister for Local Government and Planning, to have Holroyd proclaimed a City. Ald. Gard asked the Minister for his “consideration of our submission and favourable report to the Governor of New South Wales in due course, would be greatly appreciated by the Aldermen and residents of Holroyd.”

On 19 December 1990, Rear Admiral Peter Ross Sinclair, Governor of New South Wales, proclaimed “with effect from 1st January, 1991, the Municipality of Holroyd as the City of Holroyd.”

The Minister for Local Government and Planning presented a plaque to Ald. Bob Downing, Mayor of Holroyd City Council, at the Council Chambers, Memorial Avenue, Merrylands, on the morning of Tuesday 8 January 1991, to mark the occasion of Holroyd achieving City status.

Mr. Hay said, “Proclamation of an area as a city established it as a unit of very great substance, as well as it being a recognition of its sophistication.”

Ald. Downing said, “This outstanding achievement is without doubt a great milestone in the History of Holroyd. As the first Mayor of the city and also as a resident for over 50 years, I am naturally extremely proud of the decision of our city status.” He added, “It is a significant tribute to our pioneers and current residents.” Ald. Downing thanked the former Mayor, Ald. Gard OAM and the Minister “for their part in this well deserved recognition of our area.”

The first meeting of Holroyd City Council was held on 22 January 1991.

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Ald. Andrew Cooke and Peter Herlinger at the 19 February 1991 Council meeting, asked about the advantages and cost of City status. Mr. Graham Towle, Holroyd’s Town Clerk, responded that the main advantage was that “cities are considered as an independent centre of population which has established a distinct character and identity,” citing the Local Government Act and the Minister of Local Government’s press release at the time of the proclamation ceremony, to reinforce the point. Mr. Towle reported that there had been many congratulatory letters after achieving City status from individuals, organisations, businesses and other Councils.

In regards to the cost, the Town Clerk reported that small circular stickers stating “Proclaimed a City 1/1/91” had been purchased to use on existing stationery stock, until new “City” stationery was purchased. Signs would be replaced only as required, except for a few key areas such as frequently used facilities and buildings, and that new orders of Council Crests to be stuck onto street signs would be changed to read “Holroyd City Council.”

Sources: Atchin, Stephen, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), WSROC, in Appendix “A”, Appendix Listing, Ordinary Meeting, Holroyd Municipal Council, 17 July 1990, p. 1. Holroyd Receives City Status, Holroyd City Council, [8 January 1991], p. 1. Hay, David, City Status for Holroyd Municipality, press release, Sydney, 8 August 1991, p. 1. Hay, David, letter to Alderman Graham Gard, Mayor, Holroyd Municipal Council, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Planning, 25 August 1989, pp. 1-2. Gard, G. C., letter to The Hon. D.A. Hay, M.B.E., Minister for Local Government and Minister for Planning, Holroyd Municipal Council, Merrylands, 24 April 1990. ‘Holroyd: a Sound Plan for the Future: a submission to have Holroyd proclaimed a City by the Governor’, Inhaus Productions, Toongabbie, 1990, pp. 1-29. New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 174, Sydney, 21 December 1990, p. 11179. Proposed Submission by Holroyd Municipal Council for Proclamation as a City by the Governor, Holroyd Municipal Council Merrylands, 1989, p. 1. The minutes of meetings for Holroyd Municipal Council and Holroyd City Council mentioned in this article are available for the public to view in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library, cnr Miller and Newman Streets.