Martin Cussen

Martin Cussen wast the first president of the Shire of Rodney. Elected on a 4/3 vote at the first meeting of the Shire on 15^th June 1886. The meeting was held in the mechanics institute of Tatura (Victory Hall). He had previously been a Councillor with the Shire of Wangaratta. He was on the sub-committee responsible for arranging the building of the first Shire Offices in Casey Street , Tatura and remained on Council until 1888.

As well as his involvement in Shire affairs, he was active in many other community activities. Some of these are listed below:

• First Chairman of Mooroopna Waterworks Trust in 1885.
• Shire representative on the United Echuca and Waranga Waterworks Trust 1886.
• Chairman of Rodney Irrigation and Water Supply Trust in 1890.
• One of the first Trustees of the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve 1880, and also involved with the relocation to the present site in 1901
• Inaugural President of the Mooroopna Baseball Club in the late 1880's.
• A parton for the inaugural meeting of the Mooroopna Golf Club in 1904, by which time he was a member of the Legislative Council.
• Active in moves to improve education, medical and transport facilities in the area.

Business interests included farming, real estate development and auctioneering.

Martin Cussen was part of syndicate that planted the first fruit trees in the Ardmona area, and he arranged for the sale of many fruit blocks. He also had land interests in the township of Tatura, acquiring a large block in Fraser Street in 1881 and a large block in Albert Street in 1893. Cussen Street, which runs West off Ross Street in Tatura between the Council Depot and Vet Clinic was named after Martin Cussen.

"Mooroopna to 1988" compiled by the Historical Society of Mooroopna

"Rodney Recollections 1886-1986" by Jim McQualter and Elsie Brady

"Tatura" by Bill Bossence