Mayor 1957, 1962
Born at Attunga, Cyril Carey was one of nine children. He was educated at Attunga Primary, Tamworth High School and Armidale Teacher's College. He was one of the first students who enrolled at the New England University College when it opened in 1938. With the interruption of the war, it was not until 1952 he eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
During the war, he served from 1941 to 1946 at various Australian stations including Darwin and eventually became a Captain in the 43rd Infantry Batallion. He joined the Armidale City Council as an alderman in December 1947. He was a foundation member of the library committee from December 1948 and served as a member of the council's library committee from January 1950 until August 1982.
Before the war he played representative sport in rugby league and cricket. Before joining council he was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. As a teacher, he worked at West Armidale and Uralla, before joining the staff of the Armidale's Teacher College as a junior lecturer in April 1936. Aged 70 years, he died on 23 August 1982.