Mayor for the year 1917 and Alderman in 1908 – 1916, 1918. He died 23rd July, 1924
(Excerpt from The Cumberland Argus, 25th July, 1924)
The news of the death of Mr. Robert Henry De Low, one of Parramatta’s most prominent citizens, which occured rather suddenly at a local private hospital on Wednesday evening, came as a schock to a large section of townspeople …
Mr. De Low was born in Canterbury, Kent (Eng.) in 1847 and consequently had passed his 77th milestone. With his parents young De Low arrived in New South Wales at the age of ten and, after completing his education at the famous Fort Street Public School, entered the Government service as a pupil teacher in the Education Department in 1864. For a time he imparted instruction to the youth of Parramatta at the school presided over by the late J. J. Miller, but after ten years in the pedagogic sphere was transferred to the Stock and Brands Department of the Department of Lands. In 1877 he entered the head office, and subsequently ascended through the various grades to the position of inspector, which he held at
the time of his retirement about 18 years ago ….
For the greater portion of his long life Mr De Low resided in Campbell- street, Parramatta, and at the moment of his leaving his old home for hospital, remarked to his family: “It is hard to leave the old place after 54 years.”
… In 1908 he entered the Parramatta Council as an alderman and his great grip of land questions as well as his wide knowledge of the workings of Government departments proved a valuable asset in civic administration. He sat for ten years at the council table (1908 – 1918) and during 1917 held office as Mayor. A man of strong character, he never hesitated to give emphasis to his opinions, or to utter a bitter denunciation of anything that did not meet with his approval. Accordingly, he was more or less, during his occupancy of the chair, in conflict with a section of his colleagues.
… He was appointed a Parramatta Park trustee, in succession to Dr. Williamson in December, 1921, a position he held at the time of his death. He was also president, secretary and treasurer at different times of the School of Arts …
… It could not be said that Mr. De Low took part in any kind of sport and his principle recreation consisted of reading (he had a most extensive library) and gardening …. Though at one time most regular in his attendance at St. John’s Church of England, his partial deafness was responsible for periods of absence in the last year or two.
… The late gentleman is survived by a widow and three children …
Robert Henry De Low