Image right: Mayor Edward Daniel Austin of Homebush Council. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Edward Daniel Austin served as Alderman of Homebush Council from 1908 until his sudden death in 1925. He was also elected as Mayor from 1914-1917, 1920 and 1924-1925. Homebush Council was formed in 1906 after a petition containing 59 names, including Austin’s, was presented to the Governor.[1] Born in Ireland, Edward Austin settled firstly in Picton before moving to Homebush for employment with the railways in c.1892. His two youngest daughters (Doris and Marjorie) were born locally in 1893 and 1896. There were six children in the family who resided in a cottage named Huon on the eastern side of Marlborough Road, Homebush West. The New South Wales Government Gazette of May-June 1894 record him employed as a railway examiner in Homebush in 1894.[2]
Sydney Morning Herald 30 May 1908 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14926165
In 1908, after his election to Council, Alderman Austin became Honorary Treasurer of the Homebush Tramway League.[3] The League sought to pressure the government to extend the tramway along Parramatta Road from Leichhardt to the proposed abattoirs at Homebush Bay. In 1912, Alderman Austin was instrumental in obtaining a loan for Homebush Council to build modest Council Chambers at a cost of £698.[4]
As Mayor of Homebush during World War I, Alderman Austin was called upon to perform a range of patriotic duties. During September 1915, he thanked attendees at a euchre evening where dozens of handkerchiefs and 2000 cigarettes were donated for soldiers at the Front.[5] During November that year, on behalf of the Homebush Patriotic Association, Mayor Austin presented sheepskin vests to eight soldiers at a farewell entertainment.[6] Just a few days later he welcomed the Coo-ee March of enlistees as they marched along dusty Parramatta Road ready to enlist for service. Some recruits had marched 515km, all the way from Gilgandra.[7]
Edward Austin was later employed as a sub-foreman at the Sydney Railway Yards. On 27 June 1925 he was accidentally knocked down by a locomotive engine. Badly injured, his leg was amputated but he died later that day in Sydney Hospital.[8] Aged 70, he had been due to retire. An inquest was held on 3 July in the City Coroner’s Court. In Homebush, there was considerable shock and sadness within the Austin family, Council and the local community.
Homebush Council called a special meeting on 1 July to elect a new Mayor for the remainder of the term. Alderman W.F. Stewart was elected unopposed. ‘The Chairman spoke feelingly of the great work done by the late Mayor, Alderman E.D Austin and was supported by the other Aldermen.’
At Homebush Council’s meeting of 15 July ‘it was resolved that this Council place on record its sincere sympathy with the family of the late Alderman E.D. Austin in the irreparable loss they have sustained by his sudden death.’
Austin Park 23 March 2020. Courtesy Strathfield Council
Austin Park 23 March 2020. Courtesy Strathfield Council
On 19 September 1928 Homebush Council ‘resolved that the Playground in Marlborough Road be called “Austin Park” in memory of the late Alderman E.D. Austin, if the proposal is favourably received by his family.’ Today, Austin Avenue (formerly Dixon Street) leads into Sydney Markets and also remembers the service of Alderman Austin. Both park and avenue are located off Marlborough Road, close to the Austin’s cottage Huon, which once stood on the corner of Kerruish Avenue. The cottage remained in the Austin family until the 1970s when the last single daughter, Elsie, died and parts of Marlborough Road were redeveloped as Centenary Drive.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales 7 March 1906 p.1649 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226474387
[2] New South Wales Government Gazette May-June 1894
[3] Sydney Morning Herald 30 May 1908 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14926165
[4] Evening News 9 October 1912 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/117679954
[5] Sydney Morning Herald 11 September 1915 p.9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15613099
[6] Sunday Times 7 November 1915 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120799650
[7] Coo-ee March through Homebush, 1915 https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/Council/Local-Studies-Blog/Coo-ee-March-through-Homebush-1915
[8] Register of Coroners’ Inquests, 1821-1937