This is a collection of photographs of former Shire / City secretaries and town clerks of the former Shire of Braybrook and City of Sunshine. Before modern CEOs existed in Victorian local government, the Shire / City Secretary or Clerk was the most senior administrative officer in a shire or city. They were effectively the chief executive, chief financial officer, and chief governance officer rolled into one. Below is a detailed breakdown of what a Shire / City Secretary traditionally did. 1. Chief Administrative Office The Shire Secretary managed the entire day‑to‑day operation of the shire, including: - Supervising all council staff - Implementing council decisions - Managing correspondence, records, and official documents - Ensuring services were delivered (roads, drainage, health, building, etc.) This is the historical equivalent of the CEO role described in modern council structures. 2. Governance and Council Support The Shire Secretary was responsible for: - Preparing agendas and minutes for council meetings - Advising councillors on legislation and procedures - Ensuring compliance with the Local Government Act - Managing elections and public notices This aligns with the governance responsibilities now embedded in the Local Government Act 2020. 3. Financial Management The Shire Secretary was also the shire’s chief financial officer: - Preparing budgets - Managing rates and revenue - Overseeing expenditure - Producing annual financial statements In many small shires, the Secretary also acted as Treasurer. 4. Public Interface The Shire Secretary was the main point of contact for the community: - Handling complaints and enquiries - Issuing permits and licences - Coordinating public works requests - Communicating council decisions to residents They were often the most recognisable council official in the district. 5. Strategic and Long‑Term Planning Although less formalised than today, the Secretary played a key role in: - Planning infrastructure - Advising on township development - Managing land records and valuations - Coordinating with state government departments This mirrors the strategic functions now assigned to CEOs under the Local Government Act.This collection of photographs shown all the men who served as the Shire Secretary, Town Clerk or CEO for the Shire of Braybrook or for the City of Sunshine.Sunshine Council July 2007 5452.01 - Shire of Braybrook Shire Secretary William 'Bill' Pullar 1860 - 1907.jpg 5452.02 - Shire of Braybrook Shire Secretary D. Lingford 1908 - 1911.jpg 5452.03 - Shire of Braybrook Shire Secretary Walter John Andrew 1911 - 1927.jpg 5452.04 - Shire of Braybrook Shire Town Clerk Edgar Hargreaves 1927 - 1954.jpg 5452.05 - City of Sunshine Town Clerk Thomas William 'Bill' Deutschmann 1954 - 1984.jpg 5452.06 - City of Sunshine Town Clerk G. S. Pearson 1984 - 1987.jpg 5452.07 - City of Sunshine CEO And Town Clerk J. James 1987 - 1992.jpg 5452.08 - City of Sunshine Town Clerk John Noble Willaton 1992 - 1994.jpg 5452.09 - Shire of Braybrook Shire Secretaries and Town Clerks 1860 - 1954.jpg 5452.10 - City of Sunshine Town Clerks 1954 - 1994.jpg shire of braybrook, city of sunshine, town clerk, shire secetary, william "bill" pullar, d. lingford, walter john andrew, edgar hargreaves, thomas william "bill" deutschmann, g. s. pearson, j. james, john noble willaton