Cudgegong Valley History Project

Gulgong News. Mr. A. E. Brigden has been appointed Industrial Registrar in Gulgong. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 1 April 1920, p. 24. A E Brigden Industrial Engineer

A Great Loss. Be Passing of Alderman A. E. Brigden Gloom Over Whole of Gulgong District A Life That Was Lived for Others The death of Mr. A. E. Brigden, one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens that ever resided in the Gulgong district, came as a great shock on Wednesday evening last, November 30, when the sad news became known. The town and district has suffered an irreparable loss - a loss that cannot be realised at the present time. The late Mr. Brigden was a very familiar figure in the Gulgong district. His life, one lived for others, was so bound up with the interests of the district that he was considered to be part and parcel of it. No one can ever take his place. (From the Gulgong Advertiser) As has often been said, a year or two ago anyone would have taken a lease of the late Mr. Brigden's life. He always looked well and robust, radiating good health and cheer wherever he went. But the strain of his arduous life in the service of others out of a goodness of heart, had been telling on him for the past five years or so, unbeknown perhaps even to himself. It was during the past twelve months and more especially during the latter half, that his health gave way to such an extent that it gave cause for alarm. For the past six months or more he had been under medical attention in Gulgong and Sydney. He was found to be suffering from heart trouble, and heart failure was the cause of his death, although his sudden end at five minutes to seven on Wednesday evening last was unexpected. Only that morning he had attended to his affairs as usual and had his midday meal. Shortly afterwards he spoke of feeling unwell, and his doctor was summoned a little later. He became unconscious a couple of hours before he passed away. Only the evening before at Dunedoo, Mr. Brigden attended a meeting of the Dunedoo branch of the M.U.l.O.O.F. We mourn his death. At the age of 59 years for one who had lived such a useful life, his end came far too soon. The late Mr. Brigden was born at Botany (Sydney) and came to Gulgong with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Brigden, when about 18-months old. He received a public school education, the school building in those days being situated at the rear of the residence in Bayly Street, where he had for so long resided. Part of an old shed that was connected with the school building of that time still remains. Leaving school, to which, unlike most boys, he always made strenuous efforts to attend, deceased went to work at the late Mr. Allan Cameron's cordial factory in Mudgee, where a brother, Ernie, also worked. Within a short time deceased was back home in Gulgong, where he secured a position in R. Brown and Co's. general store, situated in Herbert street, where Mr. C. Pilcher at present resides. Later, he left to start a grocery business with his brother, Mr. Alfred Brigden, of Gulgong, the premises being where Mr. Stott's boot and shoe emporium, and Mr. H. J. Gudgeon's motor garage at present stand. The late A. E. Brigden shortly afterwards bought out his brother's interest in the business, and later moved to more commodious premises across the street, the building having previously been the Golden Fleece Hotel. He bought the building and had another one erected in its place, this latter being part of the premises now occupied by Stahl and Upham. He carried on business there until about 12 years ago. when he sold the business and leased the premises to the present day firm of Stahl and Upham. Before going out of the business he built the double-storey brick building adjoining and which he has since used for himself as a jewellery shop and office. This building was erected in the first place for Mr. Christian, a jeweller, who sold to Mr. Fraser, also a jeweller, who closed down and left Gulgong. It was then that Mr. Brigden set up the business and office which he has left. He really required the premises principally on account of his activities in the Happy Valley Branch of the M.U.I.O.O.F. The late Mr. Brigden was married in Mudgee 29 years ago, his wife being Miss C. Clark, daughter of Mrs. Clark and the late Mr. J. Clark. To write fully of the life of the late Mr. Brigden one would need more than all the columns of the Gulgong Advertiser. Right from the time he left school he took an interest in public affairs and in the public life of the town today there is no one who can take his place. His work for the public good stands as a monument to his memory and ever will. For a lengthy period, probably over 20 years, he was an alderman of the Gulgong Town Council, and was Mayor for a continuous term of about 12 years, being unopposed all that time in this latter position. He had a strenuous time during part of that time, especially when affairs were being administered under the old Municipal Act. To him as Mayor has been given the credit for the Municipality having been put on its legs. There was a time when the town's affairs were in a very bad state. Serious and heavy defalcations in funds had to be faced, and it was Mr. Brigden as Mayor who worked night after night putting the Council's books in order. During one period in his life he looked after his own business interests in the day time, attended to the keeping of his books until midnight, and then turned his attention to the Council books until 3 or 4 a.m., retiring to his home for just a few hours' sleep and repeating his effort. How he stood it all leaves one wondering. But it was characteristic of him that he slaved for what he considered to be the public good. Some big things were carried out whilst he was Mayor. The realignment of streets was a big question in those days, and the light on the question was a big one. Mr. Brigden fought hard in favor of realignment - and won. The sanitary scheme was brought in whilst he was Mayor. Then there was a tooth and nail fight on the question of the amalgamation of the Municipality and the Shire, for which Mr. Brigden, as Mayor, fought against. One of his great works in the Council was the instituting of a scheme to repay the money borrowed to build the present Town Hall. For many years after it was built no provision was made for a sinking fund, and the outlook of the future was indeed very serious. Mr. Brigden, however, came to the rescue by his excellent methods of finance and for that alone he was worthy of being highly praised. In practically every public body in which he was closely interested, Mr. Brigden was recognised as an exceptionally keen and capable financier. The Hospital, under his scheme of finance, always had a credit balance and sometimes a large one. It was the same with everything else, the Happy Valley Lodge. M.U.I.O.O.F., being another example. He kept a lot of organisations on their feet. Every movement for the public good found him a practical sympathiser. He gave not only time, but money to all kinds of causes. The number of public movements in which he interested himself in is legion. The gloom that spread over the whole district was evidence of his popularity with all sections of the community. His loss will be felt greater as time goes on. He was only recently elected to the State Board of directors of the M.U.I.O.O.F. He was District Coroner, and held a host of other public positions. Further references to his great life will be made in next issue. A sorrowing widow and family is left to mourn their loss, the members of the family being: Arthur (Sydney), Roy, Grace, Linda, Master David and Enid, all residing at home. Deceased has the following brothers and sisters living: Alfred (Gulgong), Herbert (Gundagai), Mesdames G. Smith, A. Williams, J. Chegwyn, all of Glenorie. One brother, Edward, who was an hotelkeeper in Gulgong, was killed accidentally over 20 years ago, and another brother, William, who was a hotel keeper at Warren, was also accidentally killed. The funeral, which took place on Thursday afternoon, was the largest ever seen in Gulgong. The body was taken from his residence to the Methodist Church where a service was conducted by Rev. G. G. Wood (Methodist Minister), assisted by Rev. G. S. Watts (Church of England curate at Tamworth, and one-time Methodist Minister at Gulgong). The church was packed and hundreds of people were not able to gain admission. In the course of a very fine address in the Church the Rev. Mr. Wood said we were mourning a life that was triumphant in life as in death. What a wealth of cheerfulness, of love, of sacrifice there was in a life that was all too short! Mr. Brigden had given himself to others. In his home life he gave strong love, free and ever-flowing. He gave himself for the public good. He was a strong moral force in the community. No duty was too burdensome. He gave his best. He gave his all. He was splendidly unselfish and real to a fault. The Mayor and aldermen of the Town Council, members of the local branch of the M.U.I.O.O.F., Methodist Church Sunday School children, and Constables Boon and Cook (representing the Police) marched in the long procession to the graveside. Bro. H. Hall, P. G. and Bro. Tos. Gibbons acted as marshals for the Lodge. Those who were present at funeral included Mr. H. Brigden (Gundagai), Mr. R. G. Clark (Camden), Mr. A. Upham (Summer Hill), L. Upham (Burwood), Mrs. W. F. Drew (Lue), and the following representatives of branches of the M.U.I.O.O.F.:- Bro. S. Yeo, of Dunedoo (Mudgee District Secretary); Bro. C. Wright, (Dunedoo); Bro. H. Turner, (Dunedoo); Bro. J. Crowe, (Coolah); Bro. J. Winn, (Mudgee). Bro. J. Taylor (Sydney); Grand Secretary, M.U.I.O.O.F., and Bro. C. Goodwin (Lithgow) formerly District Secretary, were unable to reach Gulgong in time for the funeral. Rev. G. G. Wood officiated at the graveside, assisted by Rev. G. S. Watts, and like the service in the Church, was an inspiration to the living. Bro. H. J. Gudgeon, P. D.G.M., read the M.U.I.O.O.F. burial service. Scores of wreaths and hundreds of messages of sympathy were received, chief among them being from: Mayor and aldermen of Gulgong Municipal Council, G. Brooks (Grand Master) and Board of Directors M.U.I.O.O.F., Gulgong District Hospital Committee, Gulgong Dramatic Club, Methodist Church members, Mudgee Methodist Church choir, Ald. Marsh (Mayor of Mudgee), Jas. Loneragan Co., and employees, J. Clark and employees, Department of Education (Sydney), Mercantile Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Sydney), Geo. Christie and Co. (Sydney), Arthur Cocks and Co. (Sydney), Gulgong Advertiser, R.B.P. Lodge (Gulgong), the following branches of the M.U.I.O.O.F.: - Gulgong, Mudgee, Dunedoo, Coonabarabran, Croydon Park, Wagga, Bowenfels, Coolah. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 8 December 1927, p. 6. Albert Brigden Obituary

Late A. E. Brigden MEMORIAL UNVEILED. CEREMONY AT GULGONG A memorial - an enlarged photograph of the late Mr. A. E. Brigden was unveiled by the Matron, M. Snelson, at the Gulgong District Hospital on October 14. Besides the hospital committee, Mrs. Brigden and family and a number of friends were present. The president. (Cr. S. B. Rouse) said they were present to do honor to a man who had worked in an honorary capacity for the hospital for a number of years. Those who knew him did not need any reminding of his great work, but those who come after would find in the memorial an incentive to follow his example. Mr. H. J. Gudgeon said it was the fourth memorial to the late Mr. Brigden he had attended, and was glad of an opportunity of paying a tribute to the memory of one who had been a zealous and untiring worker for the institution. He hoped that they would see in the memorial a tribute to one who had been a very worthy and respected citizen of Gulgong, and a hard working committeeman of the hospital. Mr. J. E. Hansell said he had had a good many business transactions with the late Mr. Brigden and had always found him an upright, honest and well living man. He had always been prepared to do what he could to relieve the sufferings of other people. On behalf of Mrs. Brigden and family. Mr. O. M. O'Reilly expressed appreciation of the action of the committee in honoring the late Mr. Brigden's memory. Mrs. Brigden felt very grateful and the committee's action filled her heart with warmth. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 21 October 1929, p. 13. Albert Brigden Memorial