Sutherland Shire Council in Sydney’s south is celebrating its centenary with Faces of the Shire, a roving exhibition some 100 significant people in the Shire’s history. Mayor Kevin Schreiber said selecting only 100 faces was a difficult task.
“It would have been easy to choose many more,” he said. “The project is a fitting tribute to the character and achievements of the Shire and its people over the years.”
The ‘faces’ were nominated by the community and selected from various fields, including science, the arts, humanitarianism, sport, politics, business, community service, leadership, public service, philanthropy and innovation.
“A century ago, Sutherland was a very different place,” Mayor Schreiber said. “From humble beginnings with just 1,500 residents, we now have almost 220,000 residents who contribute to making this a wonderful place. Our great community today owes much to the people who helped build it.”
The incorporation of the Shire of Sutherland was gazetted on 7 March 1906. Council employed three staff and the council chambers, located in an old butcher’s shop, doubled as the Shire Clerk’s residence. Council meeting minutes were handwritten until September 1912. Council is now one of the area’s biggest employers, with 1,200 staff.
“Our centenary is an important celebration for Council and the community,” Mayor Schreiber said. “We live in an area that is steeped in rich history as the birthplace of modern Australia, so it is wonderful that this part of our heritage is being embraced by the people of the Shire.”
For further information visit www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au go to About your Shire and click on Shire Centenary 2006.
