ALFRED HERBERT (HERB) FACKENDER

Herb Fackender was born at Unanderra on 7 March 1875 and died at Helensburgh in January 1956, in his 81st year. His father, Robert Fackender, arrived from Liverpool, England in 1865 and was a farmer-blacksmith. Robert met and married Rebeca McPaul, whose father was one of four brothers who migrated from Northern Ireland in the early 1840s. Robert taught his third son, Herb, the trades of blacksmith, farrier and wheelwright. Herb enlisted for the South African Boer War (1899-1901) but was invalided out. He arrived at Helensburgh, probably in late 1901, and became the local blacksmith, having bought Fred Hansen’s business which was in Walker Street, almost opposite Lilyvale Street. He continued as village blacksmith until about 1940, when horses were almost entirely replaced by motor vehicles.
Herb married Mary Maria (Mia) Smith who was the second daughter of George Smith, the local draper and shopkeeper. George Smith had arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1889 with his wife Kate and three children, Annie, Mia and Jack. Herb and Mia rented a cottage on the corner of Walker Street and Whitty Road, where their son Colin was born on 18 May 1909. In early 1912 they moved to a newly-built house on the corner and Hay and Lilyvale Streets. They had three more children, George (February 1912), Gladys (April 1919) and Lenore (April 1928).
1914-1918 War: Herb was the early Treasurer and then Committeeman of the Helensburgh Patriotic Fund, which raised revenue from concerts, dances and socials for payment to soldiers’ wives and the purchase of medals for returned men.
Bulli Shire Council: Herb was a Councillor between 1920 and 1940 and Shire President from 1926 to 1928. When he became a Councillor in 1920 he had to sacrifice the loss of revenue from shoeing Council horses and repairing Council vehicles in compliance with local government rules on pecuniary interest, notwithstanding he was the only blacksmith in the area. While President of the Council he presided over the official opening of the new Bulli Shire Council Chambers by AG Lysaght, MLA, on 1 June 1929. (The building is currently used as a community centre and library at 328 Princes Highway, Bulli). In his early years as a Councillor Herb travelled with great difficulty to Council meetings at Bulli by train - rushing to finish shoeing horses in time to catch the bus to the station for the late afternoon train, and not returning until the late train at night. In later years, when there were two Councillors from Helensburgh, a car was provided to and from the meetings.
Water supply to Helensburgh and Stanwell Park: In the 1930s after Woronora Dam was constructed, Herb made many representations to have Helensburgh and Stanwell Park connected to the water supply. He pressed Waterboard Alderman GE Maunder, who in turn pressed the Waterboard. A feasibility study was conducted in 1936 which determined that the connection would not be financially viable. It was left to others in the 1950s when Helensburgh and Stanwell Park had an increased and more prosperous population.
Electricity supply: This was another satisfying event for Herb as a Shire Councillor. In June 1925 Helensburgh was connected to electricity supplied by the Colliery. Charlie Catt was employed by Bulli Shire Council to supervise house and street installations and he and his family lived in the town for the twelve months prior to the connection. He continued as Council Electrician for the area for many years. What great celebrations there were on the night of the “switching on”. It was another world for the town which now had lighted streets and what a change from lamps and candles in the homes! For many years the Colliery invoiced Council for the cost of the electricity supply.
Cemetery Trust: In January 1894 George Smith, Herb’s father-in-law and the local draper, received plans for land which had previously been dedicated to General Cemetery in 1892. George was the Secretary of the then Cemetery Trust and continued as Secretary or President until he sold his business in the 1920s and left the town. Herb, who had been a committee member of the Trust over the years, became a Trustee.
District Returning Officer: Herb was the District Returning Officer for State and Federal elections which meant a lot of work during and after polling days.
Treasurer Workmen’s Club: Over a period of 30 years to about 1948, Herb was Treasurer and a very active member of the Club. He was more of a social drinker and enjoyed proudly inviting the many visiting representatives to the Club.
Treasurer Helensburgh and Lilyvale Co-operative Society: Herb was Treasurer of this Society for about 20 years. In the early years, when most businesses has horse drawn transport, Herb’s mother was obliged to buy goods from them, but her preferences was for the Co-operative where a dividend was paid on purchases.
Helensburgh Public School Parents and Citizens Committee: Herb was a regular attender at the P&C meetings and had even acted as P&C Supervisor at exam time.
Empire Theatre: In 1940, when blacksmithing was finished, Herb and a partner, James Watts, entered into a partnership to buy into the running of the Empire Theatre with Watts being the silent partner. Movies were shown three nights a week, plus Saturday afternoon. Mia, Herb’s wife, sold the tickets, with Herb on the door.
District Magistrate: In those early days of the town a prominent citizen and JP was gazetted by the Department of Attorney General and Justice and authorised “to hear and determine offences under sections of the Police Offences Act 1901”. Herb was the District Magistrate from 1943 until his death in 1956. He was preceded by Dr FH Cox, the local mine doctor, who had followed George Smith, the local Draper. After 1956 a regular visiting Magistrate attended Helensburgh.
Masonic Lodge: Lodge Helensburgh was consecrated in 1925 in the Band Hall. Herb was the Foundation Treasurer and remained a Mason all his life.
Herb was a popular, friendly and honest man with strict morals and integrity. He lived his life helping others. As an active citizen, Herb participated in the planting of trees along Walker and Parkes Streets, as well as helping with the building of the first Scout Hall by local volunteers. In his later years, with failing eyesight, he would still enjoy shooting at the Rifle Range on a Saturday afternoon. His 80th birthday was celebrated in the School of Arts (on the site currently occupied by the Community Centre). It was organised by the Workmen’s Club with many old friends and relatives attending.
Information provided by Colin Fackender in 1995 to the Helensburgh and District Historical Society. We are keen to add more information to the history of the area and welcome any written contributions from people with an interesting story to tell.