Our Founding Documents

In case you are wondering about the background image in the heading to this blog - it is part of one of the original residents petitions that led to the creation of Brisbane Municipal Council in September 1859. The NSW Municipalities Act of 1858 required the signatures of a certain number of residents of a town in order to approve its application to be declared a municipality and hold elections and collect rates the first steps towards self government. Brisbane supporters held a meeting in December1859 and gather 181 signatures in support of municipality. As the Moreton Bay Courier of Dec 22 noted: "The petition to his Excellency the Governor-General,praying for the incorporation of the town of Brisbane, under the Municipalities' Act, will be, we understand, forwarded this steamer, about 200 signatures, consisting of house and freeholders, having been attached." Unfortunately a counter petition was drawn up in March 1859 opposing the request. This resulted in a hasty town meeting at which these petitioners fears were soon allayed and all agreed to support a third and final petition which was signed in April 1859. Two of the original petitions will be on loan from State Records in NSW next year and be on display at the Museum of Brisbane from June.