Burwood Sesquicentenary

According to the archaeological findings, Aboriginal people lived in the Sydney area for at least 11,000 years before the arrival of the British in 1788. The Burwood area was most likely used as the source of food, water and shelter by the Wangal Clan.

Captain Thomas Rowley, who received the first grant of land in the area in 1799, is credited with naming the area as Burwood after a place in his native England. Soon other grants followed and the area started to be cultivated to provide food for the growing European population.

Subdivisions of the granted estates commenced in the 1830s and drove the growth of a village. The railway line opened in 1855, with Burwood being one of the initial six stations between Sydney and Parramatta. At this time Burwood was highly regarded for the beauty and healthy natural conditions and the district became a desirable location. The population increased markedly, with many of the new residents being influential citizens constructing an array of the grand houses for which Burwood is famous.

After a local residents’ petition, the district was declared as the Borough of Burwood on 27 March 1874. The campaign for the first Burwood Council elections took place in June 1874, with some of the campaigning taking place at the local hotels. 

The results were officially declared on 15 June 1874,  followed by the announcement of the first Mayor, Alderman Richard Wynne. The first Council's clerk, Richard Meredith Ferguson, was appointed 24 July 1874. After requesting a tender for furniture and a clerk competent at valuation of the rateable property the new borough commenced its business. Plans to collect the rates were announced at the end of the year.

The district kept growing to become one of the most important centres in the Inner West of Sydney. The 1924 Jubilee became an occasion to revel in the numerous local achievements. 

The Sydney press reported on an extensive program of events organised to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Burwood Council.

The celebrations commenced with the shopping week sponsored by Burwood Chamber of Commerce. Burwood Road became White Way, brightly illuminated by the electric lights which arrived in the Municipality only three years earlier, in 1921. The beautifully decorated shops displayed old photographs and pictures in their windows.

A procession, from Clarence Street to the Burwood Park, covering in total about half a mile, took participants through the brightly decorated streets. The parade was a lavish celebration of the local business and great credit to the tradesmen involved.

The main events included a banquet, dinner, ball, and old residents’ reception.

The celebrations concluded in the Burwood Park with children’s day. The giant picnic left local youngsters with memories of fun games, free entertainment and bottomless supply of ice-cream, cream-puffs and soft drinks.

Burwood Municipality continued to develop and gain importance as a local commercial centre and shopping destination over the following years. In 1949 the East and Central Wards of the former Enfield Council were incorporated into Burwood. The approaching centenary became an opportunity for the extended local community to come together and celebrate.  

In the early 1970s Burwood Council formed the Centenary Committee to mark the 100^th anniversary in style comparable to the Jubilee events. One of its initial decisions was to commission a comprehensive history of Burwood. “Harvest of the Years: the Story of Burwood 1794-1974” by Eric Dunlop was published as a result. The Committee also reached out to the local organisations and institutions to involve a wide range of charitable groups, schools, churches, clubs, businesses and individuals to develop a versatile programme of interesting and inclusive activities. Almost a half yearlong carnival of events was formulated.

The festivities of Centenary Year commenced with the Burwood Swimming Carnival on 25 January.  Competitions and displays by the national and state swimming and diving champions, complemented by a water ballet troupe performance, were the biggest ever attractions staged at Enfield Olympic Pool. The Lt. Col. R. CH Christian Centenary Garden Competition identified winners in several categories and was an amazing festival of the local green spaces.

27 March, the day of the 100^th Anniversary of incorporation, was marked by reading of proclamation in Burwood Park in the presence of the students from the local schools followed by the distribution of the centenary medals to all participants.

On the weekend, a vintage train journey from Sydney terminal to Burwood, delivered hundreds of people to join the already gathered crowds to admire the Grand Procession. It started in Conder, turned into Livingstone Street and then went along Burwood Road to Burwood Park. A community fair continued afterwards. It was enjoyed by thousands of people assembled in the park. Centenary Dinner was held at the Santa Sabina School hall on 08 April. During the Easter period and on ANZAC Day special centenary services were held by various churches and organisations.

On 24 of July the re-enactment of the first council meeting was held at the Council Chambers. Luncheon for the veterans of the Burwood Municipality, Grand Fireworks in Henley Park (cancelled due to cold weather), and Centenary Ball in period costumes at the Santa Sabina School hall were some of the highlights of the extensive programme of events put together for the enjoyment of the Burwood residents in commemoration of this special occasion.

In 2024 Burwood Municipality will turn 150 years old. For information on events happening during the year go to Burwood Council