COSGRAVE, Mr William Arthur

William Arthur Cosgrave

4/06/1906 – 16/01/1979

A Life of Community Service

William Arthur Cosgrave, commonly referred to as Arthur, Art or Cos, was born in Ballarat on 4 June 1906 to William and Winifred Cosgrave.  He and his brother Norman managed the family farm at Smeaton until their father’s passing in 1950, after which both pursued independent farming ventures.

Arthur had become very community minded at an early age and was destined to become a community leader.  On the 7th of August 1940 it was reported in the Creswick Advertiser,

‘Candidate for Shire of Creswick’

‘Following Cr G.C Toose’s announcement of his intention to resign a number of ratepayers in the North Riding waited on Mr A.W. Cosgrave and asked him to submit his name as a candidate for the vacancy.  Mr Cosgrave has agreed to their request.  A married man with a family, the candidate was born in the Shire 35 years ago and has lived here in all his life.  A well-known farmer, he has been a well-known public figure in Smeaton for a number of years and has been one of the districts leading workers for patriotic and Red Cross purposes: he is an ex-president of the Smeaton ANA (Australian Natives Association); secretary of the following: 

Smeaton Patriotic committee, which arranges farewells and receptions to soldiers; Mechanics’ Institute, Smeaton Men’s committee, a body ready to raise funds for the local Red Cross, a member of the committee of the Kingston Agricultural and Pastoral Society, life governor of the Creswick hospital.  Before the war Mr Cosgrave was actively associated with district sporting bodies, and a leading member of the Clunes Football League.’  End of newspaper quote.

Arthur was an active member of the Smeaton Football Club and held office within the Club for many years, which included the Premiership year of 1937.  Arthur never played any sport but was an administrator involved in numerous sports.  In 1938 Arthur was the secretary of the Smeaton Centenary Sports event and played many roles during the Centenary celebrations of Smeaton Centenary Year.  In 1941 Arthur initiated the formation of the Smeaton Rural Fire Brigade.  As the elected Secretary, he remained in the position for the following twenty years.  In the same year he was appointed an Air Raid Warden by the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence.  Arthur was also appointed as an Assistant Inspector under the Fisheries and Game Act.

In 1941 Arthur was elected as a Councillor in the Creswick Shire.  He continued to work tirelessly for his community as a Councillor for the next 38 years. Arthur became Shire President of the Shire of Creswick serving his first term during 1946-47.  On the 14th of July 1953, Arthur was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.  Arthur’s second term as Shire President coincided with the Shire’s Centenary Year, spanning 1859 to 1959.  He was appointed as the 100th Shire President on 8 September 1958, marking a significant milestone in the region’s history.  To commemorate the centenary, a special dinner was organised and held in Creswick on 12 January 1959, bringing together community members to celebrate the Shire’s rich heritage and progress over the past century.  In September 1970, Arthur was once again elected as Shire President.  This period proved to be a particularly active and eventful year.  One of the highlights was welcoming the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, to the Shire with a Civic reception.  Following this, Arthur accompanied Sir Rohan to the Smeaton Mill, where the landmark was formally handed over to the State Government, symbolizing the Shire’s commitment to preserving local heritage.

Later that year, on 20 November, the Shire hosted a Civic Reception for distinguished guests Sir Henry Bolte and Sir Daryl Lindsay.  These events were held in conjunction with the opening of the Creswick Shire Historical Museum.  During the ceremony, Sir Henry Bolte was presented with a key to the Museum’s door, signifying his role in the occasion.  The Museum was officially opened by Sir Daryl Lindsay, further highlighting the importance of this event in the Shire’s cultural development.

In September 1971, Cr W.A. McKay was elected Shire President but unfortunately died early into his Presidency.  On the 14th of February 1972 Cr Cosgrave was elected President in succession to the late Cr McKay.

In August 1975 the Shire of Creswick created a new award, “The Shire of Creswick Civic Award’.  The award was bestowed upon two Councilors, Cr A.D. Clark and Cr A.W. Cosgrave.  One of the comments Arthur made at the presentation was, ‘Anyone who lives in the district and does not try to make it better is lacking in his duty’.  A telegram sent to Arthur by Murray Byrne, Minister for State and Development read, ‘Thank you for the wonderful lifetime of service not only to local Government but to all aspects of public life.’

Arthur worked tirelessly as a Councillor.  One of his biggest ambitions was to secure a good and reliable water supply and sewerage system for the residents of Creswick.  He persisted with this project for close on ten years until November 1976 when the Shire received tenders from six prospective contractors.  The successful contractor was Jack Bennet of Newlyn, for a cost of around $400,000.00.  Cheap by today’s standards.

The project was constantly overseen by Arthur as he watched his dream come to fruition.  Tragically, Arthur passed away on 16 January 1979, before the completion of the reservoir.  At the time of his passing, he was serving as Chairman of the Creswick Water Board.  The reservoir was officially opened by close friend, Shire President Jack Sewell, on 5 April 1979.  In recognition of Arthur’s unwavering commitment and service to community, the reservoir was named the ‘W.A. Cosgrave Reservoir’.  This enduring monument stands as a testament to his legacy and contributions to the Creswick Shire.

Throughout his years of community service, Arthur received a number of life memberships for his leadership and commitment to sport.

Life memberships bestowed upon Arthur were:  Clunes Football League 1969; Clunes Football Club 1976

Mount Prospect Tennis Association 1967; Creswick and District Sportsmen’s Club;  Ballarat Country Week Tennis Association 1971.  Arthur was also the Deputy Chairman of the Clunes Football League Tribunal.

As a long-term administrator of Country Week Tennis, Arthur founded the Ballarat Junior Country Week Tennis competition.  The ‘W.A. Cosgrave Cup’ was established as a perpetual trophy for the Under-19 Premiership team in his honour.  He was also instrumental in the creation of the Mount Prospect Tennis Center at Park Lake Creswick.

Throughout Arthur’s journey of community service, he was strongly supported by his wife Adele who, in her own right, served her community like Arthur with strong determination, commitment and passion.

Arthur is deserving to be included on the Creswick Civic Honour Roll.