Hi Folks, I don't often ask for information on this Mailing List <vbg> so this is almost a new experience for me!! I was asked a casual question the other day on behalf of the Portarlington Business & Community Association (not sure of their official title these days) if I knew anything about a the person mentioned on a plaque at Portarlington ...... "A Tribute to the Late Charles G. BROWN in appreciation of Public Services 1928" To say this has snowballed is an absolute understatement and I'm asking anyone out there who may have access to odd indexes / sources etc. if they can add anything to the amazingly comprehensive bits we've already located ......... you'll need this summary to know if your reference to a C. BROWN, Charles BROWN etc. could be the same person!!!!!!! Charles Gideon BROWN born 1867, Chilwell, Geelong, S/O George BROWN and Mary Ann BOUCHIER. Charles died 11 Feb 1928 aged 60 and is buried in Geelong Eastern (have photo of grave). Have birth, marriage, death and burial references for his parents. Have birth, death and burial references for Charles and 6 of his seven siblings. Haven't found death or burial of brother George (b. 1863). Apart from George (unknown), neither Charles nor any of his siblings married - in other words, there appear to be NO descendants from this family. George spent four years in Queensland (not sure of the years) but down here he spent many years working for the shipping company Howard Smith & Co. He was their agent in Portarlington about 1897-99 before being posted to Melbourne for a period, and again from at least 1909 (possibly earlier) til his death in 1928. In 1909 he was also appointed Assistant Harbour Master at Portarlington and held both positions til his death in 1928. He was a dapper gentleman always wearing a bow tie, had a terrific singing voice, and was always larking around. He was sometimes referred to as the "Mayor" of Portarlington. Have lovely photo of him on the jetty at Portarlington and also copy of the photo in Solomons Pty Ltd book "Do You Remember?" where he is in the male chorus of "The Pirates of Penzance" in Geelong in 1912. Have references to him from the Annual Reports of the Geelong Harbour Trust and have asked the Australian National Maritime Museum for information - they have recently received records and memorabilia of Howard Smith Co from Wesfarmers Limited. Haven't yet had a chance to check the Geelong Advertiser for any references post 1900 (Bellarine Peninsula Summaries only to 1900) ......... there just aren't enough hours in the day to have fun!!!! Have checked Brownhill's "History of Geelong & Corio Bay" and YES I've checked my Consolidated Book Index (which was WONDERFULLY helpful! <vbg>) and the Bellarine Names Index. So, anything extra would be really appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation ...... Susie Z P.S. ..... I've fallen in love with Charlie!!!!!