Historical information

In 1851 Moses Thomas purchased 400 acres, including a half mile frontage to the Plenty River, at Mernda (then known as Morang) where he operated a farm, inn and other business.

In 1865 Moses Thomas was appointed Engineer, Clerk and Collector for the Morang District Road Board. In this role he would have been responsible for overseeing the collection of local property rates and the maintenance and construction of local roads and drains. Road District Boards were one of the earliest forms of local government in Victoria. The Morang or Upper Plenty Road District was established in 1862. It covered part of what is today Mernda, Doreen, South Morang, Mill Park and Bundoora.

In 1875, the area merged with the Whittlesea Road District to form the Shire of Whittlesea. Moses Thomas briefly served as a Councillor with the Shire of Whittlesea until his death in 1878.

Physical description

Correspondence. Letter, paper, handwritten text with seal. Letter from James Ryan, Shire Secretary, Shire of Whittlesea to Mrs Moses Thomas on the death of Moses 18 May 1878.