Jane Alexandra Hastings left Liverpool on board the "Clara" and arrived in Melbourne on the 28/4/1863. She was sponsored by Mrs Rutledge of Gardiners Creek Rd owing 20 shillings or 1 term of work. She was listed as 18 years old, Presbyterian and could read and write. She married Alexander Gilliand in 1869 in Victoria and had one child, Margaret in 1870, who died one year old. Her husband also died that year and she married William John Meldrum in December 1871.

As Mayoress she "swung a bottle of champagne" in opening the new bridge across the Ovens River on 28th June 1886.