Residents of the Electorate of Bradfield will celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge and its instigator Dr John Job Crew Bradfield (1867-1943) by cutting a ribbon at Bradfield Memorial Garden on the corner of Park Avenue and Rosedale Road, Gordon on Saturday 19 March, 2022 starting at 5pm.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was formally opened on 19 March 1932. Gordon resident and engineer, Dr Bradfield supervised the design and construction of the bridge as well as the electrification of Sydney's railway network. He lived for more than 40 years in the house he had built in 1901 on the corner of Park Avenue and named 'Kholo'. 

Guests at this 90th anniversary include Dr Bradfield's grandson, Mr Peter Bradfield, and engineer Brendan Hyde who grew up in the same street where Bradfield's 'Khola' still stands.  Mr Hyde's also had an engineer grandfather who was instrumental in building a suspension nearby Rosedale Road that has since been demolished.  Ku-ring-gai Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Ward, Gordon Ward Councillor Simon Lennon and The Hon. Jonathan O’Dea MP, Member for Davidson and Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly have also accepted invitations to attend. 

"This time when we cut the ribbon it won’t be by a premier or controversially by a sword slashing Captain de Groot riding a horse," said Janine Kitson, organiser of the event and Independent candidate for the federal seat of Bradfield. 

"This celebration aims to bring the community together to honour one of its most visionary citizens who not only supervised the design and construction of Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge but oversaw the electrification of Sydney's railway network", Janine Kitson explained.  

"It is now more important than ever to support new visionaries, whether they be engineers, scientists, artists or teachers because they are needed more than ever to evade the worsening climate emergency.

"Bradfield, as one of Australia’s most affluent, educated and entrepreneurial electorates can, if given a chance with myself as its new federal MP, become a climate leader.    

“John Bradfield was a trusted and respected public servant who understood the importance of planning for the future and placed the wellbeing of the country's citizens at the heart of planning. We need to return to these values if we are to protect the future for our children and grandchildren.  

“During Bradfield's lifetime he was one of Sydney's most popular celebrities.  Residents even held a celebration for him at the old Gordon Picture Theatre in 1924 before he left for a trip to England to negotiate the Bridge’s tender with Dorman Long. The highlight of Bradfield's career undoubtedly was the opening of the Bridge on 19 March 1932. 

“Despite Bradfield’s engineering brilliance he died on a modest income.  During his supervision of the Harbour Bridge construction he ensured it was not mired in rorts or pork barrelling.  

"Bradfield's dedicated public service is remembered today by the electorate of Bradfield named after him.

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge was built during a turbulent time - post WW1, the Spanish Flu, the Depression" - a time of great challenges - similar to many of the challenges we are facing today.  But Bradfield was a driven public servant who always put the people first before politics,” concluded Janine Kitson. 

Dr Bradfield and his wife Edith were neighbours to another great Australian - Annie Wyatt.  It is reported that Annie Wyatt knocked on Edith's door one day in 1927 after being outraged that council trucks were dumping rubbish in the pristine creek below their homes.  Edith encouraged Annie to hold a public meeting, which she did, and this led Annie founding the Ku-ring-gai Tree Lovers' Civic League, which in turn led to the formation of the National Trust in Australia (NSW) in 1945. 

Janine Kitson is currently standing as an Independent candidate for Bradfield in the upcoming federal election.

Janine has a life time passion for history majoring in Australian History at the University of Sydney and before starting her career as a teacher, joined the committee of the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society.  Since then she had led hundreds of heritage walks and talks for many groups including the University of Sydney’s Chancellors Committee, the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society, Ku-ring-gai Council, the National Trust (NSW), Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment (FOKE), the Workers Educational Association and University of the Third Age. 

For more information contact:  Janine Kitson 0428 860 623