On 30 June 1860 a petition of 100 names was sent to the Queensland Governor requesting that Toowoomba be declared a Municipality. Governor George Bowen granted their wish and a new municipality was proclaimed on 24 November 1860. The first town council election took place on 4 January 1861 and William Henry Groom, who had led Toowoomba people in their petition for recognition, polled the most votes. On 12 August 1862 Alderman Groom was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as Member for Drayton and Toowoomba.