I wonder if anyone would know where the minute books of the Hampden and Mortlake shires are kept? I have a discrepancy regarding Thomas Dowling and Benjamin Dowling as members of the boards. Aust Dictionary of Biog says Thomas was active for many years but McAlpine in "The Shire of Hampden" has Benjamin as the first Hon Sec (.p6) I really need to find which is accurate. Is it possible to check the records? Thank you very much, Susan Patterson

Hi Susan, Have you asked Mortlake Historical Society if they know where they have gone? mortlakedhs@yahoo.com.au Regards, Trish ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Patterson" <aapatterson@bigpond.com> To: <AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 3:49 PM Subject: [AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT] W.D Roads Boards

G'day Susan >From p7 of "The Infiltrators" by Jack S Fletcher Other members of the Roads' Board set up on July * 1857, were.........., Benjamin Dowling.......... There is another mention of a Dowling on p37, but no first name! Hope this helps..........Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Patterson To: AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 3:49 PM Subject: [AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT] W.D Roads Boards

Hi Susan, Hard copy of Minute Books commencing 1866 of former Shire of Mortlake are at Public Records Office PRO-14402/P1. Mortlake Historical Society probably have a copy of the microfilm too as Trish suggested. It was the Mortlake Road District from 1860-1864 and before that, part of a much larger area of Warrnambool Roads Board which included the old Shire of Hampden.Cr. T. Dowling is listed as President of Shire of Mortlake 1865-68, and 1874-1878 in "Pastures of Peace - A Tapestry of Mortlake Shire" and Thomas Dowling also mentioned on p208. Cheers, Kathy

But wait - there's more. Dowling Street in Mortlake is named after him. And there's a map showing Jellalabad Station and others. I'll see if there are any more mentions later. Beryl Beryl O'Gorman Greensborough Victoria Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Patterson" <aapatterson@bigpond.com> To: <AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 3:49 PM Subject: [AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT] W.D Roads Boards > I wonder if anyone would know where the minute books of the Hampden and > Mortlake shires are kept? I have a discrepancy regarding Thomas Dowling and > Benjamin Dowling as members of the boards.