Share your thoughts on naming the new Council Chambers

Published on 19 August 2024

At the meeting held on 14 August Council endorsed the naming of the new Council Chambers as the WB Freebody Chambers.

Council is now seeking the community’s feedback on the proposed name.

‘This is a great opportunity to honour Mr Freebody and his contributions to the region by naming the new chambers after him,” said Mayor Kenrick Winchester.

‘We recently honoured Queanbeyan’s First Nations history with the naming of our Council headquarters and surrounding spaces and I think this is a great way for us to honour our more recent history with someone who has played such a significant role in our town.’

William Byrne (WB) Freebody served as alderman on the Queanbeyan City Council continuously from 1917 to 1956. During this time, he was elected and served as Mayor for six terms (1926-1927, 1930-1932, 1951).

Mr Freebody was born in Dalgety in 1887 and moved to Queanbeyan in 1907. He was a prominent businessman who operated a bicycle and sports equipment business. He extended his business interests and opened a petrol depot.

He had a keen interest in cycle and motorcycle racing and formed the first motor cycle club in 1916. In the 1930s he purchased and rebuilt the Triumph Theatre and in the same period obtained a lease of a building on Monaro Street which became the Star Theatre.

Mr Freebody was a keen sportsman participating in cycling, rugby union, cricket, tennis, and bowls and served as the President of the Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club for a number of years.

Mr Freebody passed away in May 1962.

To have your say on the naming of the new Council Chambers as the WB Freebody Chambers by 12 September 2024, visit https://yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au/naming-of-queanbeyan-council-chambers