Walter Padbury


He joined the Perth City Council in 1864 he was elected to the Guilford municipal council in 1884.
In 1885 he again was elected President.
In 1887 he was elected as the First Mayor.
In 1895 his wife, Charlotte died.
1898 Peerless flour mills was established in Guilford which his still operating.

Walter Padbury was born in Stonesfield near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, on the 22nd of December 1820. His family struggled to get by in life, and decided that Australia might be a better opportunity for the family. He and his father came to Perth on “The Protector” arriving on the 25th of February 1830.

His father died, leaving some money for Walter in the care of a married couple that they met on the ship. The couple took the money for themselves, abandoning Walter. He worked around Perth, and was offered a job as a shepherd at the age of 16, earning 10 pounds a year.

· 22 Started his own fencing and sheering business
· Started to sell stock to other businesses
· Made enough money to bring his mother and other family to Australia.
· Owned a butcher shop in Perth for 12 years
· Started to buy more and more properties
· He was noted as a fair employer looking after his employees, but he said that he only did what he thought was right. In April, 1844 he married Charlotte Nairn. She was 6 years younger than he. They had one girl, but she died at a young age. After this they invested their time and wealth in the children of employees, family and various orphanages.