Mayor Aims For Better Living
Illawarra Mercury
Friday June 4, 2004
MAYOR David Hamilton will cut a giant birthday cake to celebrate Shellharbour's 145th birthday in front of hundreds of schoolchildren.
The ceremony, to take place at Shellharbour City Stadium at 10.30am, will mark the anniversary of the day when Governor-General Sir William Denison proclaimed the area one of Australia's first municipalities.
``While the area has changed dramatically since the first council governed Shellharbour, the aim of the representatives is the same ... that is to create a better standard of living for all residents," Councillor Hamilton said.
He highlighted the $1billion Shell Cove project as ``undoubtedly the cornerstone of Shellharbour's economy" that would have flow-on effects long into the future.
The long-awaited marina should be built within seven years, he said, and would help provide an answer to the biggest challenge facing the area - unemployment.
``I believe that Shellharbour has grown so fast that we have to slow down and think about employment within the city. We have to address the unemployment issues along with the growth of the city," he said.
We built this city:
Municipality proclaimed on June 4, 1859 after petition signed by 200 people;
Area known as ``Yerrowah" to Kooris. Middens at Bass Point estimated to be 17,000 years old;
First council chambers built in 1865;
First church, Stella Maris, built in 1861, it remains the oldest stone building in town;
Proclaimed a city in 1996;
The council has had only nine town clerks or general managers in 145 years. The present general manager, Brian Weir, has served for almost 20 years.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury
