Frederick William Roche

Frederick William Roche was born in 1817 in County Waterford, Ireland, and came to Sydney in 1840. According to some accounts, he arrived in Dalby in 1847, however it was more likely that he arrived in Dalby sometime around 1855.

Very soon afterwards he became one of the largest local merchants, owning a number of teams and sending his goods long distances further west to the remote stations.

In 1863, when the Dalby Town Council was first incorporated, Frederick Roche became the first Mayor of Dalby Town Council.

The results of the first election held in 1863 saw Frederick William Roche, Joshua Milstead, Alfred Peter Gayler, Robert Ross, Richard Sexton, and Richard Ramsey form Dalby's first Council. Frederick Roche again held the position of Mayor in the years 1868-69.

Possessed of a liberal and generous nature, Frederick Roche did many a kind deed for the less fortunate townspeople, and it is said that thousands of pounds were due to him on account of business transactions long past.

Frederick Roche was the first Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and a trustee of the Dalby Cemetery. The first Post Office in the town was opened in his store in 1854. He died in 1904, at the age of 86 years.