Soon after he arrived in Colac in 1864, Robert Sitlington became active in many local activities and responsibilities, a role he continued right up to his death in 1886.
Robert was born in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire in December 1824, the second youngest of the eight children of Daniel Sitlington and his wife Mary Hall. In 1849, Daniel and Mary arrived in Geelong with several of their children and, some years later, Robert joined them in the new country.
In 1854, Robert wed Sarah Westcott Pitts, who also hailed from Gloucestershire. The service was held at Sarah’s father’s home in Colac. The young couple then went to live in Geelong, where Robert had a store. The first five of Robert and Sarah’s ten children were born in Geelong later to be joined by another five children.
By 1865, Robert and his growing family had moved to Colac and he purchased premises in Murray Street. He established a produce store and a dwelling. Later he set up a chaff cutting and corn crushing plant, powered by horses. Robert’s community earned him great respect from its townsfolk.
Robert became devoted to the Methodist Church and was also a generous supporter of the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Movement. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Free Library and, an ardent follower of the contemporary Liberal Party. He was a frequent correspondent to the local press to air his views.
One of Robert’s most notable responsibilities, however, occurred when he was appointed Registrar for Births, Deaths & Marriages for the district, as well as the electoral officer.
Sadly, Robert died aged only 61. His death was widely reported and greatly regretted. Robert Sitlington is buried in a large family grave with his wife, his parents in law and eight of his children honouring a man whose energy, service and civic spirit helped shape nineteenth-century Colac

Research by Jill Judd
Story with assistance from Stephen Brooks


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