Former Sydney Councillor, Reg Murphy, represented the Fitzroy Ward and this area in the 1960s. He might have been a forgotten person but for the fact the Reg Murphy Centre at 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, is named after him. It was opened in 1967 by the Lord Mayor of the time and was council centre number 13.

It provided activities and a meals-on-wheels service from its large commercial kitchen.

This service was much-needed after World War II as ex-servicemen arrived back but without adequate housing or income.

Reg Murphy lived in a flat in Centennial Park with his wife Molly and their much-loved pet puppy, Paddy. They were never able to have children after Molly’s difficult first pregnancy.

Nevertheless, they were a happy couple. “Every night was New Year’s Eve”, said Tony Dixon, now 77. He was a young lad working in his family’s undertaking business and befriended by them.

“Reg Murphy treated me like his son”, said Tony, who knew them intimately.

Tony’s family photo album proves his point with countless photos of him with Reg and Molly.

Reg was a people person and put social welfare at the top of his political programme at council.

It was not uncommon for him to be chomping on his cigar while referring to his mates as “comrades”, a political party term reserved for like-minded socialists.

Reg and Molly later moved to Killara to build a home with their second pet, also named Paddy.

The Elizabeth Bay centre lives on; providing child care, an upstairs theatre, a lounge room, daily meals, a library and various activities including yoga, computer classes, art, Zumba and music and dance classes.

So, on Thursday 9th November from 6-9pm the Centre will celebrate its 50th Anniversary of continuous service to the local community with a party to which locals are invited.

This will be a magical night of 60s rock and roll music and refreshments and memories.

To attend please RSVP by email to blaryea@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au phone 9265 9333

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions

Image: The Reg Murphy Centre: let’s celebrate 50 years of community service