Family came from Scotland,William was a factory foreman, but didn'tlike work- ing conditions, so came to Australia. Started grocery storein Victorian country town,moved to Wangaratta and opened a store,later became mayor. During 1890-91 depression and drought he went
broke, so moved to Junee and opened anew store.

William Meldrum JP migrated to Australia in 1862 on the "Phoenix". He opened a grocery store in Beechworth and then Woolshed in 1865. Then in 1867 moved to Wangaratta, where he opened a general store in Murphy St. In 1880 he was elected to the Borough Council and served 4 terms as Mayor from 1883 to 1891. From 1890-1891 he was President of the Management Committee of the Wangaratta Hospital, and in 1873-1874 he was the secretary of Wangaratta Agricultural Society. He was also the President of the Committee of Management St. Paul's Presbyterian Church for 12 years. In 1893, William and his family moved to Junee, where he opened "The Federal Store", a general store supplying everything necessary for "ploughing to the garden".