The Municipality of Ryde and the Municipality of Eastwood amalgamated on 1 January 1949.
This collection documents the service of the men and women who have been the elected representatives - the alderman and councillors - of the Municipality of Ryde, later the City of Ryde, from 1870 until the present.
Creation:
The Municipality of Ryde was proclaimed on 12 November 1870.
First election:
The first election was held on 10 February 1871. Aldermen were elected for three years but, in the first few years of the Council, one alderman from each ward was obliged to resign, determined by who had received the least votes at the first election. Thereafter, as their three-year term expired, the aldermen would retire but could seek re-election.
Secession:
On 5 June 1894 the Municipality of Marsfield came into existence and included Marsfield and Eastwood (east of the railway line).
Triennial election:
The first triennial election, that is, where an election is held every three years, took place on 1 February 1908.
Amalgamation:
The Municipality of Ryde and the Municipality of Eastwood amalgamated on 1 January 1949.
City Status:
The Municipality of Ryde gained city status on 1 January 1992.
QUICK FACTS:
First mayor: Edward Terry. He represented West Ward
Most terms as mayor: Mick (Michael) Lardelli served 12 successive terms as mayor from Sept 1983 until Sept 1995
First woman elected to Council: Beatrice Beryl Sutton elected on 5 December 1953 and represented West Ward. She served one term on Council.
First woman to be mayor: Edna May Wilde served five terms as mayor: Sept 1980-September 1981, Sept 1981-Sept 1982, Sept 1999-Sept 2000, Sept 2002-Sept 2003, Sept 2003-Sept 2004. She served on Council from Sept 1974-Sept 2008
Popularly elected mayors: Edward Lester Septimus (E L S) Hall 1960-1962; Clarence Mervyn Cutler 1963-1965, 1966-1968
