On June 1791 Phillip renamed Rose Hill ‘Parramatta’, the aboriginal name for the area, meaning “the place where the eels lie down.”
Each year on this day, November 2, Parramatta celebrates its European Settlement. It was the first settlement in Australia after Sydney and the first land grants was made to James Ruse, the first settler, in the area now known as Harris Park.
In November 1861 the Municipality of Parramatta was incorporated and in December the first Council was elected. These newly elected aldermen set about laying the foundations of Civic Government that has played a significant role in the early development of Parramatta to become now, the largest CBD area outside of Sydney.
The newly elected representatives of council was devoted principally to the attention and provision of the essential services.
With the changing of time and population growth, Parramatta achieved City status on the 27th of October 1938, and the position of Mayor was elevated to Lord Mayor on December 12 1988.
In the past, the people of Parramatta organised festivities, events and functions that bought the community together in celebrating its ‘birthday,’ Foundation Day, November 2.
In 1963 the first Foundation Week celebration was held and the organising committee consisted of representatives from various groups of organisations led by the Parramatta and Districts Chamber of Commerce.
Previously Foundation Day was celebrated with an Annual Dinner held year-about by PCC & Parramatta Chamber of Commerce with various active and civic minded organisations eg. Rose Society, Art Society and others each held their own individual activities celebrating the event.
First Foundation Day Inaugural Address given in 1964 on the 176 anniversary of Foundation Day by the then Governor De L’isle at a function held in Oatlands House.
(Parramatta Advertiser – 6th December 2000, p.39)
Foundations Day is celebrated on 2nd November every year.
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