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Alan Bernard McDowell
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Date of Birth13 October 1916
Date of Death20 December 2003OccupationTown ClerkPlace of Residence27 National Avenue, Orange, NSWSpouseRuth Elizabeth WallisPeggy Madeline GertyChildSusan McDowellRory McDowellDougal McDowellParentAlexander McDowellMary Ann MartinSiblingLeslie Alexander McDowellNeville McDowellGeoffrey Martin McDowellKevin McDowell
Date of Death20 December 2003OccupationTown ClerkPlace of Residence27 National Avenue, Orange, NSWSpouseRuth Elizabeth WallisPeggy Madeline GertyChildSusan McDowellRory McDowellDougal McDowellParentAlexander McDowellMary Ann MartinSiblingLeslie Alexander McDowellNeville McDowellGeoffrey Martin McDowellKevin McDowell
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BiographyAlan Bernard McDowell was Orange City Council Town Clerk from 1 January 1956 to 31 July 1971, a period of 15 years. Mr McDowell had a long history of public service, having been a clerk with Glebe, Crookwell and Lyndhurst councils.
Born in Sydney on 13 October 1916, Alan was the second of five sons of Alexander and Mary Ann McDowell, who lived in Wigram Street, Glebe. In December 1932 Alan was awarded a Town and Shire Clerk’s Certificate, having completed a two-year course at Annandale Commercial School. In September 1933 Alan joined Glebe Council as a clerk. His father, Alexander, was an alderman on Glebe Council from 1932 to 1937. Alan remained at Glebe Council until July 1938.
In 1941 Alan married Ruth Elizabeth Wallis and moved to Water Street in Blayney. Alan secured employment with the clerical staff of Lyndhurst Shire Council.
In March 1942 the McDowells relocated to Crookwell, where Alan had taken the position of assistant Shire Clerk. During his time in Crookwell Alan was an honorary instructor with the Air Training Corps, preparing the local youth for future enlistment with the Royal Australian Air Force. He was also Joint Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Crookwell and District Merchant Navy and Russia Day Appeals Committee, established in September 1942 to raise funds for the war effort.
After just eight months in Crookwell Mr McDowell tendered his resignation, having been offered the position of Acting Clerk with Lyndhurst Shire Council. By November 1947 he was the Lyndhurst Shire Clerk.
On 5 April 1946 Alan and Ruth’s daughter, Susan, was born in Blayney District Hospital. Alan and Ruth divorced three years later. In 1950 Alan married Peggy Madeline Gerty. The couple had two sons: Rory and Dougal.
In 1956 Mr McDowell was appointed Blayney Abattoir County Council Clerk.
The McDowells later moved to National Avenue in Orange, and on 1 January 1956 Alan assumed the role of Orange Town Clerk. He replaced Ralph Heath, who became the First County Clerk of Ophir County Council. He remained in the role until 31 July 1971, when he resigned on medical advice. He was replaced by Deputy Town Clerk, Mr W J (Bill) Marshall.
Orange advanced during McDowell’s tenure as Town Clerk. He was largely responsible for Suma Park Dam and the Olympic Pool and was involved in the establishment of the airport at Spring Hill. Orange won the Bluett Award in 1959, largely due to McDowell's initiative.
Following Alan’s retirement he and Peggy moved to Messenger Street in Bathurst. Alan lived a further 32 years. He died in Bathurst Base Hospital on 20 December 2003, aged 87. Peggy predeceased him, dying on 14 April 2002. They are buried in Bathurst Cemetery.
Born in Sydney on 13 October 1916, Alan was the second of five sons of Alexander and Mary Ann McDowell, who lived in Wigram Street, Glebe. In December 1932 Alan was awarded a Town and Shire Clerk’s Certificate, having completed a two-year course at Annandale Commercial School. In September 1933 Alan joined Glebe Council as a clerk. His father, Alexander, was an alderman on Glebe Council from 1932 to 1937. Alan remained at Glebe Council until July 1938.
In 1941 Alan married Ruth Elizabeth Wallis and moved to Water Street in Blayney. Alan secured employment with the clerical staff of Lyndhurst Shire Council.
In March 1942 the McDowells relocated to Crookwell, where Alan had taken the position of assistant Shire Clerk. During his time in Crookwell Alan was an honorary instructor with the Air Training Corps, preparing the local youth for future enlistment with the Royal Australian Air Force. He was also Joint Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Crookwell and District Merchant Navy and Russia Day Appeals Committee, established in September 1942 to raise funds for the war effort.
After just eight months in Crookwell Mr McDowell tendered his resignation, having been offered the position of Acting Clerk with Lyndhurst Shire Council. By November 1947 he was the Lyndhurst Shire Clerk.
On 5 April 1946 Alan and Ruth’s daughter, Susan, was born in Blayney District Hospital. Alan and Ruth divorced three years later. In 1950 Alan married Peggy Madeline Gerty. The couple had two sons: Rory and Dougal.
In 1956 Mr McDowell was appointed Blayney Abattoir County Council Clerk.
The McDowells later moved to National Avenue in Orange, and on 1 January 1956 Alan assumed the role of Orange Town Clerk. He replaced Ralph Heath, who became the First County Clerk of Ophir County Council. He remained in the role until 31 July 1971, when he resigned on medical advice. He was replaced by Deputy Town Clerk, Mr W J (Bill) Marshall.
Orange advanced during McDowell’s tenure as Town Clerk. He was largely responsible for Suma Park Dam and the Olympic Pool and was involved in the establishment of the airport at Spring Hill. Orange won the Bluett Award in 1959, largely due to McDowell's initiative.
Following Alan’s retirement he and Peggy moved to Messenger Street in Bathurst. Alan lived a further 32 years. He died in Bathurst Base Hospital on 20 December 2003, aged 87. Peggy predeceased him, dying on 14 April 2002. They are buried in Bathurst Cemetery.
Connections
SubjectsOrange City Council town clerksOrange City Council employeesPeopleAlan Bernard McDowellPlaceOrange Town Hall, 247 Anson Street, Orange, NSWOrganisationOrange City CouncilCollectionOrange City Council
Orange City Council employeesPeopleAlan Bernard McDowellPlaceOrange Town Hall, 247 Anson Street, Orange, NSWOrganisationOrange City CouncilCollectionOrange City CouncilAlan Bernard McDowell. Central West Libraries, accessed 18/07/2025, https://centralwest.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/27720
