 In 1858 when the NSW Government passed the Municipalities Act, enabling formation of municipal districts empowered to collect rates and borrow money to improve their suburb, Randwick was the first suburb to apply for the status of a municipality.It was approved in February 1859, and its first Council was elected in March 1859.Randwick had been the venue for sporting events, as well as duels and illegal sports, from the early days in the colony's history.