Somewhat of a forgotten figure in the heritage and history of the region, Stanbridge was a visionary who left an incredible legacy that event organisers Frank Page, Patrice O'Shea and Judy Files wanted to commemorate. 

Frank Page realised the 125^th anniversary was fast approaching while cleaning brasses, a gift from Stanbridge, in the Anglican Church recently, while Patrice O'Shea had always had an interest in Stanbridge due to the many layers of his life. 

"He was so wealthy - he had a finger in every pie in town," she said. "There was hardly a business from council to pub that he didn't have a share in."

Stanbridge arrived in Victoria, from England, in 1841. A few years later, in 1847, Stanbridge issued a licence for Tyrrell Run where he established close links with the Boorong people.

Interested in their culture, he wrote a paper on Indigenous astronomy and mythology, which he later presented to the prestigious Royal Society.

Stanbridge arrived in Daylesford four years later, where he acquired Holcombe and later Wombat Run.

Ms O'Shea said Stanbridge was arguably one of the richest men to have lived in the district.

"His personal generosity is evident in the extraordinary range of donations and gifts he records in his journals - he did keep track of every penny - his wider family, even those not enjoying what the Victorians called 'legitimacy', shared his considerable wealth," she said.

"As well as farming on a grand scale, he owned and invested in mines and made a fortune from gold. An amazing number of Daylesford buildings and businesses were owned by Stanbridge - not surprisingly, he was an energetic local councillor and later a member of the Victorian Legislative Council."

Stanbridge lived modestly at Wombat Park where he planted its renowned gardens - he is also thought to have donated many plants to the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens.

"He had hosted the European artist Eugene von Guérard [at Wombat Park] and commissioned some lovely, now famous, paintings of the district," Ms O'Shea said.

His philanthropic donations benefited people locally and further afield.

Mr Page said Stanbridge was also known for his kindness. When one of his employees horse's died, Stanbridge paid a guinea to replace it.

Stanbridge donated to the Anglican Church in Melbourne and Daylesford and provided funds to Daylesford Hospital so a women's ward could be built. 

Marrying late in life to a much younger woman who died during the birth of their daughter, he became a passionate spokesperson for women's suffrage and had a keen interest in fostering female education.

He paid for an extension to a girls school, W.E. Stanbridge Hall, supported the first university college set up for women, Janet Clarke Hall, and left a bequest for a women's scholarship at University of Melbourne.

Three events including a lecture, dinner, exhibition and commemoration service will be hosted on April 6 and 7.

Bookings for the Stanbridge Commemorative Weekend can be made through Eventbrite or by emailing patriceoshea68@gmail.com.