The Old Williamstonians Association was formed in 1921. An article in the Williamstown Chronicle on 16 July 1921 reported that: EARLY WILLIAMSTOWN. The proposal in our last issue to establish an "Old Williamstonians Association" is meeting with approval. Quite a number of local natives have called at the "Chronicle" office, and offered to join any such body. Names and addresses of all such are being collected, and later on it is proposed to call a meeting and launch the scheme. Williamstown is rich in the early history of the settlement of Victoria, and it should be possible to collect a great deal of information, and many old pictures and relics of the early days. All residents of over 30 years, and others who are natives of this city, are asked to forward their names and ad dresses, with year of birth or arrival here, to F. S. Young, care of the "Chronicle" office. old williamstonians, 1921

James E. Murdoch joined the old Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1880 and was captain when the WVFB was disbanded in 1891, on the formation of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in 1892. James Murdoch married Eliza gurney in May1884, and the wedding took place in the house in which his wife was born, in Russell place, North Williamstown. He was one of the founders of the old Williamstonians' Society, and held the roles of vice-president, and president for two years. He was also a member of the board of management of the North Williamstown Presbyterian Church, of which he was a trustee and treasurer for over twenty-three years. source: Williamstown Chronicle Article 25 July 1936. williamston volunteer fire brigade, joseph murdoch