Alderman (1917-1929) & Mayor (1923-24)
Frederick James Wallis (1865-1960) served on Strathfield Council as an Alderman from 1917 to 1929. He was elected as Mayor in 1923 and 1924. The Strathfield Town Hall opened in 1923 while he was Mayor.
Wallis lived at ‘Merriwa’, 55 Homebush Road Strathfield, from 1904 with his wife Amy (née Ford) and family. He died in 1960 at aged 95 years at ‘Merriwa’.
Wallis was a merchant and partner of James Bell and Company, wheat and grain merchants. Wallis ran the Sydney branch of this merchant firm.
He was an active member of the Strathfield Congregational Church and forged strong ties with Meriden School at Strathfield. The Wallis Building and Wallis Hall at Meriden are named for him Wallis was also a notable art collector.
Wallis Avenue and Wallis Reserve at Strathfield are also named for him.
Reference
Cooke, A. (1997), Visions of Parnassus, Meriden School
James Bell & Co. (1903, December 8). Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), p. 2. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109478710
MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHFIELD. (1922, December 22). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), p. 6733. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225133146
RE will of FREDERIC JAMES WALLIS, late of 55 (1961, March 17). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), p. 828. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220244877
Some Notes on the Strathfield Municipality (1973), Strathfield Council
Photo reference
Photograph courtesy of Strathfield Council
