Dubbo Regional Council has joined the push for part of Dubbo Hospital to be named after James Samuels.
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Mr Samuels was the first Dubbo mayor from 1872 to 1875.
He also played a major role in the establishment of the hospital, including donating a large chunk of the land where it now sits.
Councillor John Ryan brought the issue to council's attention last week. They'll now write to the NSW government advocating for Mr Samuels to be recognised.
"I was reading through the request [from Mr Samuels' family] and as I had a look at what James Samuels had done, I quickly became convinced this was something I wanted to support...," Cr Ryan said.
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"James Samuels is regarded as the founding father of the hospital. He attended the first planning meeting for a hospital in 1866. In 1867 he accepted the post of treasurer when the treasurer of the committee resigned."
He continued in his role of treasurer until his death.
"Much of the land on which the hospital stands was actually donate by James Samuels and the rest donated from other land owners inspired by his example," Cr Ryan said.
He said Mr Samuels maintained and lived on the land, with his family home situated on the western side of where the railway is today.
When he died, he bequeathed the land to the hospital in his will.
An article in the Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent from May 20, 1927 describes him as the Grand Old Man.
"Throughout the whole of that time [as hospital treasurer] he had worked hard in the interest of the institution, and was one of its great benefactors," it said.
"The sick and poor of two generations had good reason to be thankful to the fate that gave them a James Samuels."
...there is really no one who deserves the recognition more.
- John Ryan
Cr Ryan said it was very important to remember figures in the history of Dubbo who had done great things.
"When it comes to naming part of the hospital I think this is really something we need to take to the state government and say 'there is really no one who deserves the recognition more'. If there is I'd like to see those names put forward," he said.
Mr Samuels was born in 1835 in Bristol, England. At 16-years-old he moved to Australia with his father, mother and siblings.
He married Mary Anne McMillan in 1858 and they had eight children. Mr Samuels died on May 17, 1927.
His funeral notice in the Sydney Morning Herald on May 21, 1927 said his funeral "was the largest seen in Dubbo for years" and the "cortege was half a mile long".
His pall bearers were members of the hospital committee.
"Practically every prominent person was present at the graveside," the notice ends.
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