Family background
Michael Robert Matthews was born about 1946.
Occupation & interests
Dr Michael Matthews gained his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of New South Wales in 1979. As a student, he was president of the Newman Society and has published on Marx’s Theory of Schooling. He was a university lecturer in education at the University of New South Wales, becoming Professor of the Philosophy of Science in 1979. He was also a research Associate at Boston University’s Centre for History and Philosophy of Science. He was a weight-lifter and played First Grade with Sydney University’s rugby League.
Community activity
Matthews was a long-term resident of Ultimo and was concerned for the welfare of his community. Determined to make inner city living more attractive, he formed the Active Residents Committee. In 1982 he published Pyrmont & Ultimo: a History. At a time when these inner-city suburbs were undergoing massive redevelopment, this documented a precinct and its people even as they were disappearing.
Local government service
Michael Matthews was elected to Sydney Council as Alderman for Phillip Ward on 20 September 1980, aged 34. He served until 28 June 1985 when he resigned from the Council. He was a member of the Community Services Committee, 1980-81 and the Finance and Industrial Relations Committee, 1982-84. He was the first Independent Alderman elected to Council for Phillip Ward in nearly 50 years.
References
City of SydneyArchives: Aldermen’s Files; Photo: CRS 191/79 and AF