William Vowles was born in Brisbane in 1876. He attended the Brisbane and Ipswich Grammar Schools and later was articled to Mr. J. B, McGregor, solicitor, Brisbane.
He was admitted to practice in 1899, the year he commenced practice in Dalby. He was the only solicitor in town until the arrival of Victor Drury in 1906.
Early in his career, William Vowles became interested in public affairs and was associated with the public and sporting life of the town. He became a member of the Dalby Hospital Committee, and in 1900 he was elected an Alderman on Dalby Town Council, becoming Mayor in 1907, and serving three successive terms. As Mayor, he presided at a gathering in 1909 when the then Minister for Lands, Mr. J. T. Bell, turned the first sod of the Tara/Glenmorgan branch railway line.
William Vowles continued as an Alderman but retired for a few years whilst Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. During this period, he resigned from the Dalby Town Council, but after his retirement from the political arena, he was again elected an Alderman and for a number of years he was Chairman of the Finance Committee.
William Vowles was a life member of the Pastoral and Agricultural Society, and of the Dalby Hospital. He was president of the Dalby Amateur Race Club, the Northern Downs Jockey Club, the Dalby Golf Club (of which he was a foundation member and patron), the Dalby Rugby League, foundation member of the Dalby Bowling Club, and also had interests in cricket and tennis.
As a townsman with a strong sense of public duty over a period of 44 years, William Vowles was highly esteemed. There were few movements for the welfare and progress of the town with which he had not been associated.
William Vowles was known as one of the 'giants' of Dalby Town Council, who were chiefly responsible for the progressive building of modern Dalby and figured prominently in the town's growth for over 40 years.
William Vowles died in 1943 at the age of 68 years.
