President Sydney Burdekin Biography

Sydney Burdekin            (1839 – 1899)

[Image courtesy City Of Sydney Archives]

President Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1891

Sydney Burdekin was born in NSW, the fourth son of a wealthy merchant who died in 1844 leaving a fortune in colonial real estate. 

In his early life Burdekin managed family pastoral properties in Queensland and northern NSW, spending most time at ‘Attunga’, an extremely profitable run near Tamworth. Later, in the city, he saw to the real estate business and was active on various company boards. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly and an alderman of Sydney City Council.

In 1890 Burdekin was elected Lord Mayor of Sydney and it is thought this influenced his ascendancy to the presidency of the Society since, at that time, negotiations were underway to secure tenure of the Moore Park ground.

Early in 1891 he urged the Society to improve its financial situation and manage its affairs along sound business lines. Shortly after he took leave of absence to travel to Europe but when still absent in June, the council ruled he had vacated his position by leaving the colony and appointed John See in his place. There seems to have been no acrimony involved, merely a desire by the Council to heed Burdekin’s own advice and get on with the job of running the Society efficiently.

Sydney Burdekin served as a vice president from 1893 until his death.

A full list of Presidents can be found here.