Reg Bartley
Encyclopedia
Reginald James Bartley (died 16 January 1982) was a businessman, company director and Lord Mayor of Sydney
in 1943–1944 and 1946–1948. He was succeeded by Ernest Charles O'Dea. Referred to as a "civic reform" lord mayor, Bartley was attacked by a member of the Communist Party of Australia
over a proposal to demolish "Maramonah", a mansion in central Sydney, inhabited by 600 squatters, in order to build a park. Bartley's plan was eventually taken up, and the site of the mansion is now a park in King's Cross
. Bartley later said that he regretted the incident had become one between "communists and lawful authority".
In March 1946 Bartley was instrumental in moving to demolish the Sydney Mint
and the Hyde Park Barracks
, stating that they should "make way for modern structures".
Bartley's service to the City of Sydney is commemorated by the naming of Reg Bartley Oval at Rushcutters Bay and Bartley Street, Chippendale. The City of Sydney Florence Bartley Library was named in honour of Bartley's wife and Lady Mayoress Florence.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1943–1944 and 1946–1948. He was succeeded by Ernest Charles O'Dea. Referred to as a "civic reform" lord mayor, Bartley was attacked by a member of the Communist Party of Australia
Communist Party of Australia
The Communist Party of Australia was founded in 1920 and dissolved in 1991; it was succeeded by the Socialist Party of Australia, which then renamed itself, becoming the current Communist Party of Australia. The CPA achieved its greatest political strength in the 1940s and faced an attempted...
over a proposal to demolish "Maramonah", a mansion in central Sydney, inhabited by 600 squatters, in order to build a park. Bartley's plan was eventually taken up, and the site of the mansion is now a park in King's Cross
Kings Cross, New South Wales
Kings Cross is an inner-city locality of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 2 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
. Bartley later said that he regretted the incident had become one between "communists and lawful authority".
In March 1946 Bartley was instrumental in moving to demolish the Sydney Mint
Sydney Mint
The Sydney Mint in Sydney, Australia, is the oldest public building in the Sydney Central Business District. Built between 1811 and 1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, it was then known as the Rum Hospital. In 1854 a mint was established on the site with the hospital building used...
and the Hyde Park Barracks
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney
The Hyde Park Barracks is an internationally significant, impressive brick building and compound designed by convict architect Francis Greenway between 1818–19; originally built at the head of Macquarie Street to house convict men and boys....
, stating that they should "make way for modern structures".
Bartley's service to the City of Sydney is commemorated by the naming of Reg Bartley Oval at Rushcutters Bay and Bartley Street, Chippendale. The City of Sydney Florence Bartley Library was named in honour of Bartley's wife and Lady Mayoress Florence.