William Neville Harding
William Neville Harding | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | March 31, 1978 (aged 85) Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Taxation accountant, corporate director, local government official |
| Years active | 1911–1948 |
| Known for | Lord Mayor of Sydney (1944–1945), Alderman on Sydney City Council (1935–1948) |
William Neville Harding (4 January 1893 – 31 March 1978) was a taxation accountant, corporate director, and local government official in New South Wales who held the positions of Lord Mayor of Sydney and Alderman on the Sydney City Council between 1935 and 1948.
Early years and background
Harding was born in Sydney on 4 January 1893 to parents William and Agnes Harding. He pursued his education at the University of Sydney and built a career as a public accountant with a focus on taxation, alongside serving as a company director. On 3 August 1918, he married Constance Agilvie, and together they had two sons and one daughter. Beginning in 1911, Harding managed his father’s accounting practice until his dismissal in 1928, which led him to initiate legal action for wrongful termination. In 1929, a jury awarded him £2000 in damages; however, following an appeal, the matter was ultimately resolved through an out-of-court settlement.
Political career
Harding was a notable member of Sydney’s commercial sector and held the presidency of the Electrical and Radio Development Association of NSW from 1941 to 1942. He affiliated with the conservative, business-oriented Citizens' Reform Association. His initial attempt to secure a seat on the Sydney City Council in December 1934 for Phillip Ward was unsuccessful. However, after Alderman Richard Hagon retired in July 1935, Harding won the subsequent by-election representing Macquarie Ward.
Sworn in on 29 July, Harding served on several committees including Works, Health, and by-laws but devoted most attention to the Finance Committee during terms in 1937, from 1942 to 1945, and again from 1946 to 1948, holding the position of Vice-Chairman between 1942 and 1944. His contributions included efforts to unify Sydney’s electricity supply networks while acting as Councillor and Chairman (in 1942) of the Sydney County Council from 1938 until 1944. In 1937, Harding put forward an ambitious proposal for a new city library integrated with a museum and civic theatre to replace the inadequate facilities housed at the Queen Victoria Building, although this initiative was postponed due to the outbreak of World War II.
Throughout WWII, he participated on the City Council’s National Emergency Services committee from 1942 to 1945, promoting air-raid shelters and civil defense preparedness. Tragically, his son Private David Bruce Harding of the 2/17th Battalion lost his life during active duty in 1943. Harding also stood unsuccessfully as a candidate for the North Sydney seat representing the Democratic Party in the state election held in 1944.
On 12 December 1944, Harding was elected as Lord Mayor of Sydney. During his tenure, he committed to preserving a non-partisan council approach while ensuring low municipal rates alongside efficient public services. As Lord Mayor, he had the honor of welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Sydney in January 1945 prior to the Duke assuming office as Governor General of Australia.
Later life
In 1946, Harding pursued Liberal Party endorsement for the Division of Parramatta in the federal election but ultimately decided to withdraw his candidacy. He continued his public service as an Alderman until his retirement in December 1948. The following year, Harding was penalized £40 for neglecting to submit his 1947 tax return. A representative from the Taxation Office remarked that Harding had "created significant difficulties for the department," while his lawyer clarified that Harding had experienced a serious illness, resulting in hospitalization exceeding five months, and had also lost essential personnel, with two former staff members impacted by wartime circumstances. Harding passed away on 31 March 1978 at his home in Wollstonecraft, leaving behind his wife and two children.