Hi Folks, I'm currently working on the Market Committee Minutes for the Town of Geelong. This Committee lists some people as "Ald" [Alderman] and others as "Cr" [Councillor] i.e. the Committee on 19th July 1871 - listed in order .......... The Mayor W F DUCKER Esq Ald REEVES / Chairman / Ald MATHEWS Ald WHITCHELL Cr INGLIS Cr HUNT Checking the list of Councillors / Mayors from "Geelong: 150 years of community leadership 1849-1999" by Norm Houghton it lists the following DUCKER, W F - Cr Geelong City Council 1868-1875 DUCKER, W F - M[ayor] Geelong City Council 1870-1872 REEVES, Robert - Cr Geelong City Council 1863-1882 REEVES, Robert - M[ayor] Geelong City Council 1872-1873 MATHEWS, Patrick James - Cr Geelong City Council 1863-1871 MATHEWS, Patrick James - Cr Geelong City Council 1877-1879 WHITCHELL, John - Cr Geelong City Council 1863-1873 INGLIS, Thomas - Cr Geelong City Council 1870-1877 HUNT, Thomas Barber - Cr Geelong City Council 1868-1877 Can anyone tell me why some were called Alderman and others Councillor? I can't see any pattern or reason. The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary ... Alderman: 1. [esp hist] a co-opted member of an English county or borough council, next in dignity to the Mayor 2. [US] the elected governor of a city 3. an elected local government councillor Councillor: an elected member of a council, esp. a local one Is it something to do with seniority?? Hoping someone might have a sensible suggestion - it's just one of those things that bugs you when you can't find an answer! <vbg> Regards ............. Susie Z