Shire Presidents, Mayors and their Reserves and Parks

Throughout the district there are a number of reserves and parks that have been named after former Shire Presidents & Mayors.

These reserves and parks have been named after individuals who have made significant contributions to the Shire of Braybrook & City of Sunshine.

Many of these reserves also have pavilions and / or ovals named after people who have made a significant contribution to the local communities & club(s).

These reserves have been the home ground for many sporting clubs, school sports days, open air festivals, community events & individual exercising. More recently adventure playgrounds, BBQ's, public toilet facilities and passive walking tracks have been built on them.

Due to the Council amalgamations in 1995, a number of these reserves & gardens are now in the City of Maribrynong, These reserves & gardens have been included in this list for completeness.

A.E. Shepherd Gardens - Named after Alfred Ernest "Ernie" Shepherd, former Footscray City Councillor & Mayor for 1 term 1948 - 1949 and M.L.A. for Sunshine, Ascot Vale & Footscray. These gardens are now located in the City of Mairbrynong.

Ainsworth Reserve - Named after Cr. John Norman Ainsworth. He was the City of Sunshine Councillor and Mayor for one term 1957-1958.

Arthur Beachley - Named after Cartage Contractor and Sunshine Resident Cr. Arthur Beachley. He was the Shire of Braybrook President for one term 1949-1950.

Barclay Reserve - Named after Clerk and Albion & Sunshine resident Cr. Thomas Reginald (Reg) Barclay. He was the Shire of Braybrook President for two terms 1943-1944 & 1948-1949.

Bon Thomas Reserve - Named after Farmer, News Agent, Milk Bar Operator & Taxi Proprietor and Deer Park & Sunshine resident Cr. Herbert Arthur "Bon" Thomas. He was the Mayor of the City of Sunshine for three terms 1967, 1969 & 1974.

Castley Reserve - Named after a school teacher at Sunshine North Technical School and Sunshine West resident Cr. John William Castley. He was the Mayor of the City of Sunshine for three terms 1954, 1955 & 1966.

Cranwell Park - Name after Post Office & Storekeeper and Braybrook resident George Cranwell. He was the Shire of Braybrook President for one term 1914-1915. This reserve is now located in the City of Mairbrynong.

Dempster Park - Named after William Robert Dempster who was the Shire of Braybrook President for two terms 1925-1926 & 1937-1938.

Dobson Reserve - Named after Tramway Employee and Maidstone residert Cr. Godfrey Edmund Dobson. He was the President of the Shire of Braybrook for one term 1944-1945 & the first Mayor of the City of Sunshine for one term 1951. This reserve is now located in the City of Mairbrynong.

E.A. Coulson Gardens - Named after public servant and Maribyrnong resident Cr. Edward Alfred Coulson. He was the Mayor of the City of Sunshine for one term 1968-1969.

JR Parsons Reserve - Named after Horse-hair Manufacturer and Sunshine resident Cr. Robert Joseph "Joe" Parsons. He was the Shire of Braybrook President for two terms 1938-1939 & 1945-1946.

Kevin Wheelahan Gardens - Named after the local solicitor, Councilor and resident Kevin Wheelahan. Kevin was the Mayor of the City of Sunshine for one term 1972-1973.

Pennell Reserve - Originally known as the Braybrook Reserve and it was renamed to Pennell Reserve in 1951. The reserve was going to be named as the "Albert Pennell Reserve" after a Shire of Braybrook Councillor. The name was shorten to just Pennell Reserve to recognized the contribution that the Pennell family has made to the district. Bone Dust & Tallow Manufacturer and Braybrook resident Cr. George William Pennell. He was the Braybrook Shire President for eight terms 1917-1918, 1919-1920,1923-1924, 1926-1927, 1931-1932, 1932-1933, 1942-1943 & 1946-1947. His sons, Albert George was a Shire Councillor and Noble both renders good service to the district.t.

Robert Barrett Reserve - Named after Painter and Maidstone resident Robert Alex Barrett. He was the Shire of Braybrook President for one term 1948-49. This reserve is now located in the City of Mairbrynong.

Rogers Reserve - Named after Printer and Maidstone resident Leslie James Rogers. He was the City of Sunshine Mayor for one term 1958-59. This reserve is now located in the City of Maribyrnong.

Skinner Reserve - Named after former Railway Employee and Braybrook resident Cr. Henry Robert Skinner. He was the City of Sunshine Mayor for one term 1952. At one stage all reserves in the Shire of Braybrook were controlled by a committee with a Councillor appointed as chairman. Unfortunately these committees ceased to function and due to his keen interest in sport, Cr. Skinner was appointed to resuscitate the committee. In 1954 he died just before completing his term as Mayor. This reserve is now located in the City of Mairbrynong.