Local government in the Hawkesbury Following the passing of the Act for the Government of NSW in 1842 provisions were made to establish district councils in local areas. The Windsor District Council (the second proclaimed council in NSW) was announced on 24 July 1843, and covered about 2,110. The population was 6,465. Nominations for the first council were : Josiah A. Betts Robert Fitzgerald Francis Beddek Charles Thompson Thomas Tebbutt Thomas Arndell jr. Paid positions included William Cox junior, the first warden whilst Samuel North, treasurer; Mr C. Langely, surveyor; Samuel Callaway, clerk; and Laban White and Mr H. Swan were assessors. The first (& only) election was held in 1844. Elected were: Stephen Tuckerman Michael McQuade James Hale William Cross However the following were not successful: Thomas Tebbutt George Bowman William Bayliss The council folded in 1846 due to serious financial problems. The original councils were responsible for public buildings, police and justice services as well as providing road and schools. Their only income was from rates and road tolls. (Sound familiar?) When the Municipalities Act was passed in 1858, a meeting was held to introduce another local government. Public outcry at a meeting held in Windsor resulted with a no go. It wasnt until 1871 that the Windsor Borough Council was established. The following were the first elected to Council : W.J. Crew Robert Dick Richard Ridge William Gosper William Walker John Johnson William Beard Thomas Primrose J.M. McQuade Well known community leader, Robert Dick was elected as the first mayor whilst John Thomas Smith was appointed as the first town clerk. The following year (1872) Richmond Borough Council was incorporated and the those elected were: George Bowman J. Bates W. Mulholland M. Hughes J.J. Pryke Joseph Onus senior W. Tomkinson H. Turner W.Sullivan. Popular George Bowman was elected the first mayor. As a result of federation in 1901, the system of local government was reviewed. The Shires Act was passed in 1905 to include rural areas. The following year a provisional council was elected for the district of Colo. Mr H.A. Wilson was elected as chairman with Edward Bowd, C.J. Tuckerman, John Dunstan &Jonathon Gosper to assist. Mr C.S. Icely was appointed as temporary shire clerk. The first election was held in late 1906 & the following were duly elected: John Lamrock (elected as first Mayor) Edward Thomas Bowd Henry Albert Wilson William Henry Gosper Arthur C. Anderson James Edward McMahon Windsor and Richmond Councils amalgamated in 1949 to form Windsor Municipal Council. In 1981 Windsor Municipal and Colo Shire Councils amalgamated to form Hawkesbury, which covers 2793 square kms, today, one of the largest local government areas in the state. Sources : SMH 8.9.1843 & 22.11.1858; Early days of Windsor by J. Steele & Hawkesbury 1794-1994 by J. Barkley & M. Nichols