The City of Sunshine was a local government area about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1860 until 1994.
History
The local area was first incorporated as the Braybrook Road District on 28 May 1860. The Braybrook Road District became the Shire of Braybrook on 27 May 1871. In May 1916 and again in February 1951, parts of the shire were annexed to the neighbouring Shire of Melton. The Shire of Braybrook was proclaimed a city on 16 May 1951, and was renamed to the City of Sunshine. Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
Labor Party candidates were successful in most Sunshine Council elections, although Independent candidates were frequently elected. The only endorsed Australian Democrats candidate to be elected in a municipal election, Joe Cilmi, was successful at the City of Sunshine. Cilmi, aged 21, was elected to the Sunshine City Council in August 1982, although he only held office for one three-year term.Ainsley Symons (2012), "The Democrats and Local Government. Were they ever a threat to the ALP?" in Recorder (Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, Melbourne Branch) No. 274, Page 7 The city was managed by a state-appointed commissioner, Alex Gillon, from November 1976 until 1982, after the elected council was sacked by the state government for its financial mismanagement.
On 15 December 1994, the City of Sunshine was abolished; the western part of the city, including Sunshine itself, was merged with parts of the City of Keilor, into the newly created City of Brimbank, with the eastern part merging with the City of Footscray, to form the newly created City of Maribyrnong.
Council met at the City Hall, in Alexandra Avenue, Sunshine. The premises is used today as municipal offices for the City of Brimbank.
Ruth Atkins in her book Albany to Zeehan: a new look at local governmentsAtkins R (1979: 40-48) Albany to Zeehan A New Look at Local Governments, The Law Book Company, Sydney dedicated a chapter to the activities of the City of Sunshine during the period 1972–1976.
Wards
On 1 October 1981, the City of Sunshine was subdivided into four wards: North Ward South Ward River Ward
Suburbs Albanvale* Albion Ardeer Braybrook Brooklyn Cairnlea* Deer Park Derrimut Maidstone Maribyrnong St Albans (shared with the City of Keilor) Sunshine+ Sunshine North Sunshine West Tottenham
* Suburbs gazetted since the amalgamation. + Council seat.
Population Year Population 1954 41,332 1958 53,600* 1961 62,321 1966 69,081 1971 76,427 1976 88,167 1981 94,419 1986 94,413 1991 94,020
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
References
External links
Victorian Places - Sunshine