Thomas O'Grady Esq, 1873, Illuminated address, John McIlwraith, Mayor, Edmund FitzGibbon,Town Clerk
Summary
Illuminated address presented in 1873 to Thomas O'Grady Esq thanking him for his services to the City of Melbourne. Signed by John McIlwraith (Mayor 1873-74) and Edmund FitzGibbon (Town Clerk 1856-91)
Contractor Thomas O'Grady was born in Ireland in 1824. Aged 30, he migrated to Melbourne and was contracted to build Sir William à Beckett's residence. He also built Melbourne gaol, the Lunatic Asylum at Ararat and in 1870-72, with Leggett & Noonan the fifty-six-mile (90 km) railway from Essendon to Seymour.
In November 1868 he entered the Melbourne City Council for the South Ward and was alderman of the Victoria Ward in 1870-90; as mayor in 1872-73 he helped to initiate Hospital Sunday. From 1873 he was also chief magistrate and for years chairman of the council's public works and health committees. He was chairman of the Tramway Trust from its formation in 1884 until 1889 and in 1882-90 a member of the Melbourne Harbor Trust, serving as chairman in 1886-89. A commissioner for the Melbourne Exhibitions in 1880 and 1888, he was a trustee and director of several companies.
He died in Carlton on 28 April 1890, survived by his wife Catherine, née Goodwin, five sons and a daughter. His estate in Victoria was valued at £45,178 and in New South Wales at £4000; he left it to his family.
