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William Edgar Prince (1866–1955)

Mr. William Edgar Prince, J.P., of Woodlands, Tooborac, Vic., who pioneered construction works in many parts of Australia before purchasing his Woodlands property in 1908, died on 12th of last month at the age of 89.

He was born at Mitcham, South Australia, and after receiving his early education at the Rev. Mudies' School at St. Augustine's, Unley, entered the Bank of Adelaide at the age of 14. Two years later he embarked on an engineering career with the Adelaide and Suburban Tramway Co. and then joined the Engineer-in-Chief's department, gaining experience on the Penola to Naracoorte railway before being sent to the Northern Territory in 1885. His first work in the Territory was the construction of the jetty to land materials to build the Palmerston (Darwin) to Pine Creek railway, and he remained in this area for five years. Other railways built by Mr. Prince were Nyngan to Cobar, Torowangie to Broken Hill, and Molong to Parkes and Forbes, all in New South Wales, and Mullewa to Cue and the Goldfields Railway in Western Australia. He was also for many years a member of the Graziers' Association of Hill with water in the early days.

In 1906 Mr. Prince moved to Victoria to manage the Mclvor Timber and Firewood Co., which had its own tramline into the timber country and a siding near Tooborac. Two years later he purchased Woodlands and carried on pastoral pursuits until his death. He was associated with all movements for the betterment of his district and in particular took a keen interest in the Heathcote Agricultural Society, his last gesture being in connection with the wool competition, when he allowed his property to be used for the supervision of entries. He was also for many years a member of the Graziers' Association of Victoria.

Mr. Prince was predeceased by his wife and three of his children, but is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Original publication

Citation details

'Prince, William Edgar (1866–1955)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/prince-william-edgar-825/text826, accessed 30 March 2024.

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