First Bishop of Sandhurst (Bendigo).

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Australian Dictionary of Biography entry: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/crane-martin-3284

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, pp 101-102:

Crane, Martin, Most Rev., OSA, Irish
A First Bishop Whose Affliction Was Blindness
A lengthier account of the life and achievements of Sandhurst's first bishop can be found in the Australian Dictionary of Biography (National University) Vol. 3, and in 'Austral Light' May 1901, in an article by diocesan historian, Fr. James O'Carroll. 'Footprints', Vol. 2. No's 1, 2, summarised the Roman documents relating to the establishment of the See in 1874 and pointed out that the designs of the 'Irish faction' in NSW (Murray, Quinns etc.) to have four Sees in Victoria, and their own nominees in each one, were frustrated by Dr. Goold. Dr. Michael McAlroy of Albury was, incidentally, their choice for Sandhurst. Crane was one of a panel of four that Goold himself had nominated, Roman authorities and Cardinal Paul Cullen of Dublin concurring. The latter wrapped the mantle round the shoulders of the Augustinian Provincial on 21 August 1874. A year later Dr. Goold officiated in the installation at St. Kilian's, with the pioneer, Dr. Henry Backhaus, being obviously unhappy about the choice and the course of events. Backhaus himself had been the first-named on Goold's panel of four. Despite eye trouble, resulting eventually in total blindness, Crane was a zealous and energetic Shepherd, whose achievements compare favourably with any of the 'firsts' in time of the pioneering hierarchy. He was fortunate in coming into the inheritance of the Backhaus era; fortunate also, in having three faithful offsiders to share the burdens of office and infirmity: his cousin, Dr. Stephen Reville OSA, who accompanied him in 1875 and later became his coadjutor; Fr. Sylvester Barry, an administrative gem; and his brother, Nicholas Crane, his Secretary and virtually a nurse.

If, as Fr. Keaney maintains, Goold wanted an Augustinian influence and set-up in his Victorian domain (see article herein), it came to pass to some degree in that portion of his domain that he had to relinquish. I refer, of course to the two first Augustinian bishops and the accession of their Order to four northern parishes in Sandhurst.

Martin Crane was born in Barrystown, County Wexford, on 11 October 1818, the child of James Crane and Mary O'Connor. Probably There were other priest brothers besides Nicholas OMI. The only sister became a Carmelite nun. Early education was acquired at St. Peter's College, Wexford, and his Augustinian novitiate commenced at Granstown on 28 October 1837. Theology was studied at the Posterula in Rome and at Perugia, where on 12 April 1841 he was ordained at the age of 22. Returning to Ireland in 1842 he spent six years at Granstown and was then given a parochial charge in Dublin. The building of the Church of St. Thomas stands to his credit to obtain funds for which he visited the USA. A bigger assignment was to follow, Provincial of his Order, and it would seem that he had two terms of office.

He arrived in Victoria on 13 May 1875, just six months after the arrival of the first Suffragen, Dr. Michael O'Connor of Ballarat. Like O'Connor, Crane adopted the policy of endeavouring to staff his diocese with priests and religious that he had been acquainted with on the Irish scene — notably Augustinian priests, and Brigidine nuns who accompanied him home from an Ad Limina visit in 1882. It was at that time, incidentally, that the eye infirmity became acute. For the next eighteen years it worsened; but patience under trial did not give way to frustration — unlike his coadjutor, Dr. Reville, who in later years begged to be relieved of his burdens. The building of 62 churches during his reign, the staffing of the diocese with 50 or more priests, the introduction of religious orders — not to mention the firm resolve to follow the Catholic pattern of education in spreading convents and schools — all point to his episcopal zeal.

Relations with his Metropolitan, Dr. Goold , weren't always 'peaches and cream'. In 1868 they were verbally at loggerheads over the Will and funeral expenses of Dean James B. Hayes OSA, a former priest-in-charge in Bendigo who had died in Ireland. After arrival, correspondence squabbles ensued over diocesan boundaries and the performance of marriages. These and other matters are subjects of letter holdings with the M.D.H.C., and at the Augustinian Archives, Ballyboden, Dublin ..."

The Good Shepherd, and Diamond Jubilarian in his priesthood, died on 21 October 1901 at the age of 83. With the completion of the Sacred Heart Cathedral his remains have been transferred to that edifice from the Bendigo Cemetery.
(Footprints, Vol. 3, No. 2)