Family background
Michael Joseph Donnellon (or Donnellan) was born on 24 March 1868 in Sydney, NSW, son of Michael Donnellon and Honora MacMahon. He died in St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Darlinghurst, on 18 November 1941, aged 83 years, and was buried in the Catholic Section of Rookwood Cemetery. He left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £10,561. Donnellon lived at 117 Wellington Street, Waterloo.
Occupation & interests
A writ on behalf of Alderman Daniel Mulcahy, Mayor of Waterloo, was issued against Alderman Michael Joseph Donnellan, claiming £2,000 damages for alleged defamation. The jury returned a verdict for Mayor Mulcahy for damages of one farthing (The Sydney Morning Herald 18 June 1931, p. 6)
Community activity
In his obituary Michael Joseph Donnellan was described as ’a prince in his charity, generosity and kindness to the poor, the unfortunate and the little children’. He had a close association with St Benedict’s and the Mount Carmel boys. He was the President of the Fresh Air League and he represented Waterloo Council at the coronation of King George V in 1911. Donnellan urged Waterloo Council in 1929 not to approve undesirable dwellings proposed by speculative builders. He considered flats a form of accommodation that exploited renters.
Local government service
Michael Joseph Donnellon was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1911-13, 1917-19 and 1928-30 representing West Ward.
References
‘Municipal Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 1911, p. 10, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15233668
‘Prohibit Flats’, Evening News, 27 March 1929, p.16, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118786347
‘Law Report Banco Jury Causes’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 1931, p. 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16786719
‘Mr Michael Donnellon’, Catholic Freeman’s Journal, 25 December 1941, p. 18, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146371438