The first town council in Australia

The Adelaide City Council, properly The Council and Corporation of the City of Adelaide, was the first municipal corporation, or town council, in Australia.

It was formed in 1840 by the Adelaide Municipal Corporation Act. The first mayor was James Hurtle Fisher, and the first council meeting was held on 4 November 1840. Unfortunately, the council suffered financial difficulties, as several of its actions were unauthorised or reversed by the British government. This resulted in significant debt and the collapse of the corporation in 1843.

This press used by the City of Adelaide dates from the early nineteenth century.

On loan from the City of Adelaide archives