Family background
John MacNamara lived in ‘Melrose’, King Street, Ashfield.
Occupation & interests
John MacNamara was a public servant and served as foreman of works and inspector of nuisances for the borough of Redfern for over 36 years prior to his election as an alderman. He resigned in May 1900. Upon his resignation it was noted he had ‘planned and superintended the formation of nearly all the roads and paths of the borough, as well as the drainage work’.
A banquet and presentation was held in his honour at Redfern Town Hall on 19 July 1900. Alderman Fanning presented an illuminated address on behalf of the residents and ratepayers as a ‘mark of their esteem’, as well as an engraved gold watch and chain.
Local government service
John MacNamara was elected as an alderman for the Golden Grove Ward, Redfern Council in February 1901, serving until May 1903 when he resigned. He was an active member of the council, regularly expressing his views, often in opposition to the rest of the council. In April 1902 he was part of a 400 strong visit of inspection of the NSS Sobraon, moored off Cockatoo Island, in Sydney Harbour, organised for representatives of metropolitan councils.
References
‘Untitled’, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 May 1900, p.4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14314523
‘Banquet and Presentation’, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 July 1900, p.6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14325370
‘Municipal Elections’, Daily Telegraph, 11 February 1901, p. 7, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240139429
‘Municipal Matters’, Evening News, 14 October 1901, p. 3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112571660
‘Harbour Excursion’, Australian Star, 10 April 1902, p. 8, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229065774
‘Municipal’, Evening News, 10 November 1902, p. 3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114506200
‘Advertising’, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 May 1903, p. 1, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14569585