The business was originally established by Mr. Benjamin Hepburn in 1856 at what were known as the old Turf Yards, Creswick Road, Ballarat. In 1860 Mr Hepburn was joined by Mr. William Leonard and some years later by Mr. H. E. Rowe, and was then known as Hepburn, Leonard & Rowe.

These Latter gentlemen retired in their turn, and in 1885 Mr. Benjamin Dowling purchased the business from Mr. Hepburn, the business becoming known as Hepburn, Dowling & Co.

In 1886 Mr. Robert Crawford joined the firm under the style of Hepburn, Dowling & Crawford, which continued until 1905 when the partnership dissolved.

Mr. Benjamin Dowling and his sons, Barclay and Graeme carried on business under the name of Ben Dowling and Sons, while Mr. Robert Crawford and Mr. H Seymour continued the old business as Hepburn, Crawford and Seymour.

On the death of Mr. Benjamin Dowling in 1907, his son Mr. Graeme Dowling, became the sole manager and proprietor of the firm’s business and on 18th May, 1908 the two firms re-united under the name of Crawford, Dowling and Seymour. In 1927 the present company of Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd was formed.

In 1955 Bill Dowling was appointed a director of the Company, so in that year the Board comprised Mr. John Crawford, Mr, Alan Crawford, Mr William Dowling and Mr. William Redman.

Mr. Bill Dowling retired in the early 1990’s, but continued on as a consultant until he finished in 2000.

The current Directors of Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd are Barclay Dowling and Tom Dowling.

Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd now has its registered office at 1125 Latrobe Street, branches at Skipton and Lismore.

Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd conducts weekly livestock sales for cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs at the Ballarat Livestock Selling Centre.

Direct paddock sales of livestock to processors, lot feeders and other farmers, are catered for, along with live sheep for export.

Special cattle, sheep, stud stock and clearing sales are also part of the service we provide to the rural community.

Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd service also extends into the merchandise field where we stock drenches, stock foods, fencing materials, clothing – in fact everything a farmer needs.

Real Estate sales are conducted from the registered office at 1125 Latrobe Street as well as our Skipton Office.