Time Travellers in Essendon, Flemington and the Keilor Plains

Biographies

Alfred Ernest Buzzard came to Essendon in 1883 and entered Council in May 1887 on a by-election, being elected Mayor a year later. He refused to accept the Mayoral allowance of £250. He and his wife Amelia gave Essendon’s first Mayoral ball in 1889 attended by 400-500 dignitaries. The son of an early Melbourne pioneer and bookseller, he was a partner in the very successful Real Estate firm of Buzzard and Wilson. Their office was originally close to the Mount Alexander Rd Post Office,  though later established rooms in town. The family home was in Holmes Rd. Buzzard left Council in 1890 when the family took a year long trip to Europe. At one deputation to the Postmaster-General he was described as a rat in Council ranks. Buzzard held substantial Puckle St property including bank and shop sites and the building at the corner of Margaret and Puckle Sts. In 1887 residents’ protest caused the withdrawal of the application of a liquor licence for this building. Buzzard died in Brisbane in 1892, his body brought home for burial. A posthumous child was born a month later and the sale of his property handled by A E Young. His estate realised £24,100. 

©Marilyn Kenny, 2015

Pocket guide & plan to Moonee Ponds.  Melbourne: Watt & Co. Date: between 1851

and 1885.   H32088/50/2; H32088/50

See articles:

Moonee-Ponds-Post-Office

The-Shuter-Estate-Moonee-Ponds