Strathfield Council Chambers and Town Hall
Strathfield
Council was incorporated in June 1885 and declared a Municipality. In August
1886, the Council acquired land from James. R. Powell (owner of 'Terry-Hi-Hi')
Homebush Rd and descendent of one of the original Liberty Plains land grantees
Edward Powell] at the cost of £600 on the corner of Homebush and Redmyre Roads
in order to build the Council Chambers.
Strathfield Council contacted four architects residing in the local area
requesting they submit tenders to design the new Council Chambers and Town
Clerk's residence. The architects included Harry C. Kent, John Sulman, William
Gratus Coward and Ferdinand Reuss.
Sulman, of the firm Sulman and Blackmann, was the successful tenderer. Sulman
had recently arrived from England and was residing in 'Glencoe' Torrington Rd
Strathfield, when he submitted the tender.
The Council Chambers were completed and opened in 1887.
The Council Chambers building has undergone many additions including first floor
additions in 1921/22 designed by Harry Chambers Kent. Kent was once an Alderman
of Strathfield Council [1903-1905] and lived at 'Kelmswood' [later 'Woodstock']
in Redmyre Rd. Kent also designed Mount Royal [1887] and the Catholic Institute
of Sydney Building [1891] in Albert Rd.
The Strathfield Town Hall and supper room was also designed by Harry Chambers
Kent and built by Kell & Rigby in 1923. Further office extensions were
undertaken in 1969 and 1984 by the architectural firm of D T Morrow & Gordon,
who also designed many other Strathfield Council Municipal buildings including
the former Baby Health Centre and High St Branch Library.
The Strathfield War Memorials for the two World Wars are located in the front of
the Council Chambers. The World War I war memorial was dedicated on 11th October
1925 by the Governor of NSW, His Excellency the Governor, Admiral Sir Dudley de
Clair, KCB, MVO. The memorials for World War I consist of Honour Roll tablets
erected on a wall of the Council Chambers and a globe of the world erected on a
granite pillar. Countries forming the British Empire were originally signified
on the globe in gold lettering, which has now faded.
The World War II memorial was dedicated on 26 September 1953 by the Governor of
NSW, His Excellency the Governor, Sir John Northcott. The memorials for World
War II consist of a trachyte seat and a bronze plaque containing the names of
all those residents of the Strathfield Municipality who died in the Second World
War.
Council Administration Building
The Council Administration Building facing Homebush Road is a former house
called. 'Ravenswood', which was acquired by Strathfield Council in 1961.
'Ravenswood' was built c.1903 for Mr Edgar and Mrs Susan Boston, though Edgar
Boston died soon after occupation of the home in 1906. The plan of the house
design is dated 28 July 1902 and signed by G H Dale, contractor. George H Dale
was local builder from Meryla Street Burwood.
Mrs Boston continued to reside at 'Ravenswood' until her death in 1948.
'Ravenswood' was then purchased by Ernest and Elsie Melheuish, leathergoods
manufacturers, who owned the property until 1961. Council records note that this
property was used as a boarding house.
In 1961, Strathfield Council sold the former Town Clerk's residence 'Halloween'
[69 Redmyre Road] and acquired 'Ravenswood' to accommodate the administrative
offices of the Council. Though the expansive front gardens have been well
maintained, the rear and side gardens have been reduced with further extensions
to the Council Chambers and building of a new office block in the late 1990's at
the rear of 'Ravenswood'. Though the grounds surrounding 'Ravenswood' have been
reduced, the building has been well maintained and most internal original
features of the house are in-tact.
Ravenswood was converted to accommodate the Engineering Office, Parks
Supervisor's Office and Mayor's Room. The back of the building was used as a
residence for the Council caretaker, a position that has since been abolished.
Despite the Council using 'Ravenswood' for over forty years as office
accommodation, most of the original features of the home have been retained
including fireplaces, pressed metal ceilings, leadlight doors and internal
archways. 'Ravenswood' also provides accommodation for the offices of the Mayor
and General Manager of Strathfield Council.
Heritage Status
The Strathfield Council Chambers, Town Hall and 'Ravenswood' are heritage listed
items on the Strathfield Council Planning Scheme Ordinance. The Council premises
are also located within the Redmyre Road Heritage Conservation Area.
References
Fox and Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986, Strathfield Council.
Jones, C, 'Strathfield War Memorial', Strathfield District Historical Society
Newsletter, December 2005.
Kell, A., 'A brief history of Kell & Rigby [Builders] Pty Ltd', SDHS vol. 15 no.
11, Nov-Dec 1992
Malcolm, C.S., Strathfield Council Chambers, Strathfield District Historical
Society Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 3 October 1979.
Sands Sydney and Suburban Directory
Strathfield War Memorial [World War I] - Opening ceremony booklet dated October
11th 1925, Strathfield Council.
Survey of Sculpture, Monuments and Outdoor Cultural Material, Strathfield
Council, 1999.
Strathfield Council meeting minutes and valuation books.
Author and Copyright information
This article was written by Cathy Jones, 2005
© Cathy Jones 2005. This article is subject to copyright and may not be
reproduced without permission of the author.
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