In 1849 Edwin and Horace Bastings arrived in Victoria from London. They possibly sought their fortune in the goldfields before establishing themselves in Northcote in 1850. They built two buildings in the small township, a two storey blue stone general store and a hotel across the road.
Edwin established the general store and soon added the title of Postmaster to his position whilst Horace sold the Peacock Hotel and moved to another hotel in Brunswick.
In 1864 Northcote joined the Epping District Roads Board. Bastings was one of the three Northcote representatives on the board, starting a life in local politics which was to continue until shortly before his death.
In 1871 Northcote became disillusioned with the Epping District Road Board and left it to the Shire of Jika Jika with Preston. Bastings was a popular choice as the first Shire President, serving between 1872 and 1874. He was also Shire President in 1881/82. Within a few more years Northcote fell out with Preston and left to form the Township of Northcote. As expected Edwin Bastings became Northcote’s first Mayor. He later served a second term in 1889/1900.
Although the Council was torn by internal tension in Basting’s later years the Northcote stalwart remained a popular Councillor and was regarded as one of “nature’s gentlemen.” He retired from Northcote Council shortly before his death in 1909. His son Harold was to serve five terms as Mayor of Northcote.
- City of Northcote. Northcote Jubilee celebrations 1883 – 1933 : souvenir & official program. Northcote, 1933
- Lemon, Andrew. Northcote Side of the River. North Melbourne (Vic): Hargreen, 1983.
- Swift, William George. The history of Northcote: From its First Settlement to a City. Northcote (Vic.):Leader Publishing, 1928.
