Last link in long Guildford chain

Now councillors will represent the Midland-Guildford ward, with the traditional Guildford ward slipping into obscurity.

Mr Williams said, with a touch of sadness, that he was the last link in a long Guildford chain that started with Captain Mears as the first chairman of the Guildford Town Trust in 1840. He said one of his favourite iconic buildings in Guildford was the Mechanics Institute.

‘I feel we have done a lot for the heritage of buildings, with the 50 per cent rate reduction on heritage-listed properties in the City of Swan,’ he said.

He said the council had needed to create the perception that heritage buildings were a bonus, not a negative, and that was important for people wanting to restore their older buildings because it was expensive.

Mr Williams said he was also particularly pleased with the establishment of a new suburb named after Sir Jack Brabham.

‘There was a Grand Prix raced in Caversham in 1962 and Sir Jack raced there,’ he said.

‘His achievements have been memorable, to have built and raced a Formula One car and taken it to victory,’ he said.

‘Brabham is revered around the world and that is something that is important to recognise,’ he said.

Mr Williams said he now planned to travel.

‘There are homes in Maryland (US) where you can take on a life tenancy if you restore them to original condition,’ he said.

‘I would like to explore that and bring the idea back to the City of Swan, so buildings like Lynwood House are not lost.’