Shipping Intelligence. Port of Hobart Town. Arrivals, Colonial Times, Hobart, 5 January 1849, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8764193:

January 3.—Pestongee Bomangee, barque, 594 tons, Baker, from Dublin 20th Sept., with 298 male convicts. Passengers—Dr. Farn, Surgeon Superintendent ; Rev. D. [sic] Downing [...]

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Shippings News, Hobart, 10 February 1849, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2966791:

7-Sailed the schooner Circassian, 112 tons, Smith, for Port Phillip, with a general cargo. Passengers—[...] Rev. R. Downing [...]

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Multum in Parvo, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 1849, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12913116:

The Rev. Mr. Downing has been appointed to Geelong in succession to Dr. Geoghegan, who proceeds to Europe to procure additional Roman Catholic clergymen.

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Roman Catholic Church, Geelong Advertiser, 12 June 1849, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93139732:

The Bishop of the Diocese, arrived in Geelong, on Sunday afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, having left Melbourne, after the performance of the morning service. Inmediately on leaving his carriage, he entered the Church, and went through the usual services, there having been no mass offered in the morning or forenoon. In the evening, the Bishop read prayers, after which the Rev Mr Downing announced his intended early resignation or removal, on the ground of ill-health.

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Multum in Parvo, Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12915322:

The Rev. Mr. Downing, on the part of the Roman Catholic clergy of Melbourne, has challenged the Bishop of Melbourne and his clergy to hold a public controversy on the differences between the Churches of England and Rome.

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Melbourne Hospital, Port Phillip Gazette and Settler's Journal, 5 February 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223155148:

The Rev Mr. Downing begged leave to advert to a certain paragraph that appeared in the public journals of this morning, intimating that the presence of the Roman Catholic portion of the members on Monday last, was only for a party purpose in electing officers from their own particular creed, and wished to denounce the same as a most unfounded calumny, as nothing but disinterested and philantrophic motives had actuated him in taking part in the welfare of the institution and he thought he could go further in saying that the same disinterested motive had induced one or two more of his friends in like manner.

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Melbourne Hospital, The Argus, Melbourne, 5 February 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4775075:

The Rev. Mr. Downing said he was desirous of bringing under the notice of the meeting a paragraph in the Argus of that morning, which imputed sectarian motives to those who attended the last meeting; as one who was present, he begged to repudiate altogether any such charges, and considered it was too bad, that persons who voluntarily devoted their time to the benefit of the hospital, should be unjustly subjected to such accusations.

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The New Roman Catholic Church, The Argus, Melbourne, 10 April 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4770505:

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this church was performed yesterday on the grant of land at Collingwood, near St Peter's Church. Upwards of a thousand persons were present. The Right Reverend Bishop Goold, attended by the Rev. Dean Coffey, the Rev. Mr Downing, and other ministers of the Church, officiated. The ceremony was conducted according to the usages of the Church. The Bishop delivered an address on the occasion, and upon the stone being laid, called for the "offerings" of those who attended the spectacle ; one hundred and sixty pounds were collected. The following is the inscription deposited with the stone :- "The foundation stone of St. Patrick's Church, Melbourne was laid by his Lordship the Catholic Bishop of Melbourne, on the 9th day of April, 1850 - Pius the Ninth being Supreme Pontiff ; Victoria being Queen of England; Charles A. Fitz Roy, Governor of Australia ; Charles J. La Trobe, Superintendent of Port Phillip , Samuel Jackson, architect.

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Shipping Intelligence. Arrival, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 June 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12918996:

June 23. - Shamrock, steamer, 200 tons, Captain Gilmore, from Launceston 15th, Melbourne 20th, and Twofold Bay 22nd instant. Passengers [...] Rev. Mr. Downing [...]

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Benevolent Asylum, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 9 January 1851, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115767753:

The Rev. Mr. Downing has forwarded four pounds, collected by him at Ipswich, Moreton Bay District, in aid of the funds of this truly charitable Institution. It gratifying to witness the good spirit which animates the hearts of the people in the several sections of the country towards the Sydney Asylum.

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Roman Catholic Church.—Ipswich, The Moreton Bay Courier, Brisbane, 17 July 1852, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3715021:

We have been informed that previous to the departure of the Rev. Robert S. Downing, O.S.A. from Ipswich, his congregation, and other friends, presented him with a testimonial in the shape of an address and purse. In the farewell address they express their gratitude to him for his efficient discharge of his duties in the Ministry, and also for his exertions in collecting funds for the erection of a new church at Ipswich.

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Shipping Intelligence. Departures, The Moreton Bay Courier, Brisbane, 31 July 1852, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3708624:

July 30. Eagle, steamer, 170 tons, Warner, for Sydney. Passengers -Rev. Mr. Downing [...]

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Roman Catholic Church at Ipswich, The Moreton Bay Courier, Brisbane, 28 August 1852, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3709659:

The Rev. William McGinty arrived in Brisbane by the brig Brothers, and has proceeded to Ipswich, to assume the pastoral charge of the Roman Catholics of that locality, recently held by the Rev. R.S. Downing. Mr. McGinty has been removed from the district of Berrima, where he appears to have been highly respected by his flock, who, on his departure, as we find by the Sydney Freeman's Journal, presented him with an affectionate address, and a purse containing twenty-one sovereigns.

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Meeting in the Seminary, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 3 February 1853, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114833577:

The meetings for the receipt of subscriptions towards the enlargement of Saint Mary's Cathedral continue to be held in the Hall of the Seminary every Sunday evening after Benediction. […]

On last Sunday evening the meeting was somewhat more numerously attended than usual. As coming events cast their shadows before them, we presume that this may have been occasioned by the expectation of seeing and hearing an esteemed clergyman now making a short stay in our metropolis. Nor were they disappointed. In the course of the meeting the Venerable the Archdeacon introduced the Rev. R. S. Downing, (of Berrima,) who was received with enthusiastic cheering.

The Rev. Mr. Downing said, he thanked his kind friends for their hearty reception—what else could be have expected from the warm hearted people of Sydney. About six months ago he had the honour of addressing them, and he had now as then to give them credit for their zeal in the discharge of all the duties of their religion. It was, he said, a great incitement to fervour for the country people when they heard of the zeal of their brethren in Sydney. (Cheers.) He has always found the Catholics of New South Wales, during his short stay amongst them, eager to assist their clergy as far as in their power, and more particularly so in building Churches and Schools. And in what more praiseworthy cause could they be engaged. Almighty God confers an honour upon us by allowing us to build a temple to His name — we should be depriving ourselves of one of His gifts if we did not take advantage of this, His permission. (Cheers.) It was very edifying to observe that the greater part of the subscriptions came from people with very humble means. Those who have the substance of this world should take a lesson from their poorer brethren — if they did we should soon see this golden land covered with Churches erected to the honour of the great God. This, of course, is but a sketch of the Reverend Gentleman's speech. The amount of the evening's subscription was upwards of £21.

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Notice To Correspondents, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 25 March 1854, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115557191:

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of remittances from the following parties, viz :— Rev. R. S. Downing, Berrima […]

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To Quarrymen, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 6 January 1855, p 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115555929:

Wanted, between 90 or 100 perches of stone. Tenders for quarrying the same, per perch, adjoining the Catholic Church, Balmain, will be received by the Rev. Mr. Downing ; to be left with Mr Lovet, the Clerk of the Church.
N.B. — The Quarry is adjoining the Church.

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The Age, Melbourne, 4 April 1857, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154825654:

Roman Catholic Church, South Portland.— The Right Rev. Dr. Goold, Rev. Robert Downing, and Messrs. John Bryan Fitzgerald, Thomas Finn, and Simon Minogue, have been appointed trustees of the ground at South Portland, set apart as a site for the use of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Funeral of the Rev. Gerald A. Ward, The Argus, Melbourne, 18 January 1858, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7145219:

The remains of this lamented clergyman were brought from Heidelberg to St. Francis's Church, at half-past 10 o'clock, on Friday night [...] Nearly all the Roman Catholic clergy of Melbourne and its vicinity assisted at the funeral services, there being present [...] the Rev. R. Downing, of Keilor [...]

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All Saints' Church, Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 18 April 1859, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64510803:

We have before us, presented by the Rev. R. Downing, a wood engraving of the new Roman Catholich Church now building in Bentinck-street. The design is simple and pleasing. The building itself is making very fair progress, the walls and the tower being now up. When complete it will be a great ornament to the town. We only received the engraving on Saturday, which prevented our giving any earlier notice of it.

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Roman Catholic Church, Portland, Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 4 January 1860, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64513136:

We have been informed that the Rev. Mr. Downing, Roman Catholic Clergyman of this town, is about returning on a visit to Europe. He has spent nearly twelve years on the mission in New South Wales and Victoria. During the Rev. Mr. Downing's residence in Portland, (now over three years) he has earned the esteem of his congregation and of many of the inhabitants. The Roman Catholics feel very grateful to the Rev. Mr. Downing for his exertions in advancing the building of their new Church. The successor of the Rev. Mr. Downing may be expected here in a few days.

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Rev. R. Downing, Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 6 January 1860, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64513169:

The friends of the Rev. R. Downing, C.C., are about to present him with an address expressive of their esteem for him, and interest in his welfare, on occasion of the Rev. Gentleman leaving Portland on a visit to Europe for the re-establishment of his health.

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Address to the Rev. Robert S. Downing, O.S.A., from the Catholics of Portland, Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 13 January 1860, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64513224:

Rev. and Dear Sir,—
"Having learned with much regret that you find it necessary for the restoration of your health, to re-visit your native land, we cannot allow you to depart from amongst us, without recording our testimony to, and appreciation of, your great zeal and piety as a Minister of Religion ; your courteous bearing as a gentleman, which has secured you the respect of all denominations ; and your hearty and unceasing advocacy of all measures calculated to promote the welfare of this community.

It would be tedious for us to attempt the enumeration of your various acts of kindness, and the many spiritual advantages which we have derived from your ministry. We specially tender you our warmest thanks and approbation for your praiseworthy and successful efforts in the erection of an Edifice to the worship of the Almighty Cod, which in point of architectural design, ranks second to none in the colony, and which of itself is sufficient evidence of your indefatigable exertions in the cause of religion.

We now reluctantly bid you farewell. We wish you a prosperous voyage home, and we sincerely trust that your return to your native clime will speedily re-establish your health. May every blessing attend you, and may you meet with that comfort and kindness in the bosom of your long severed friends and acquaintances, which are so deservedly your due. And when at length your holy mission in this life is ended, may the Angel of the Lord safely conduct you to the eternal mansions of everlasting bliss, there to reap the blessings which the Almighty Father has destined for those who serve him faithfully here on earth. We have the honor, &c.,
(Here follow the names of the subscribers.)

Reply of the Rev. Robert S. Downing, O.S.A., Portland

My Dear Friends,—
I beg leave most respectfully to tender you my grateful and heartfelt thanks for the very kind and affectionate Address which you have been pleased to present me with on this day.

It is most consoling to my feelings to receive such a testimony and assurance of your esteem and friendship, particularly so on the present occasion, when I am on the eve of my departure from the colony.

In your kind Address you were good enough to make a most favourable mention of my ministerial services whilst among you, (now for a period extending over three years.) I must attribute this generous encomium to the fact of your partiality towards me, rather than to any personal merit.

However, as to the discharge of my sacred duties during my ministry in Portland, I can assure you with the greatest sincerity, that my sole solicitude has ever been directed, to advance the interests and welfare of the people that were committed to my pastoral charge.

During my Missionary career for the last twelve years in New South Wales and Victoria, I have witnessed with infinite pleasure, the generous zeal of our people in contributing towards the erection of churches for divine worship. I am happy to state that I found the same generosity and zeal existing among the Catholics of Portland. The advanced state of your new church bears ample testimony to this assertion. I avail myself of this opportunity to thank the gentlemen of the different denominations of this town, for their generous donations towards the building of your new church.

In conclusion I have again to thank you for your affectionate farewell address, as well as for the handsome testimonial which accompanies it. Wishing you all every happiness, spiritual and temporal, I am, my dear friends, Yours ever faithfully,
Robert S. Downing, O.S.A.

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Notes and News, Leader, Melbourne, 18 May 1867, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196632568:

By the mail has arrived the news of the demise of the Rev. Robert Downing, O.S.A., which event took place in the city of Cork. The deceased was the brother of the Very Rev. M. Downing, of Geelong, and was many years ago stationed in Melbourne and other portions of Australia.

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The Late Rev. Robert Simon Downing, O.S.S., Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 1 June 1867, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119439931:

Yesterday in St. Mary's Church, at 10 o'clock a.m., a large number of Catholic clergymen of Victoria attended the Office and Requiem Mass offered up for the repose of the soul of the late Rev. Simon Downing, who died in Cork on the 22nd of February, 1867, in the 49th year of his age. The deceased clergyman was a brother to our venerable fellow-citizen the Very Rev. Matthew Downing, of St. Mary's. The deceased some years ago was attached to the mission of Geelong, and was endeared to a large circle of friends, who witnessed his professional zeal and his genial qualities of head and heart. Nearly every district of the Victorian Mission was represented yesterday at the solemn obsequies at St. Mary's. The following clergymen were in attendance: — Fathers Barry and England, from Melbourne; F. O'Driscoll and E. O'Dwyer, Emerald Hill; James Corbett, St. Kilda; P. Riordon, Williamstown; Wm. Finn, Heidelberg. The Divine Office was chaunted by a full choir, Fathers Barry and Riordan being cantors. At the conclusion of the office a solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. B. H. Power, assisted by the Rev. J. Hogan as deacon, and Rev. A. O'Dwyer as sub-deacon. The High Mass being concluded, the solemn absolution ad tumulum was pronounced by the celebrant. The touching solemn music of the church was well rendered by the choir, under the guidance of Mr. B. J. Downing, organist of St. Mary's, with their well known ability. The deceased clergyman was attached to the Geelong mission in the year 1849. R.I.P.— Geelong Advertiser, May 17.

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The late Father Downing, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 8 June 1867, p 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119441264:

Some of our readers may remember the time when the mission of Balmain was under the care of the Rev. Robert Downing, who for several years officiated in that parish. On his retirement he returned to his native country—Ireland—where he soon obtained the cure of one of the principal missions in the city of Cork, over which he presided till his death a few months since. On the sad intelligence reaching Sydney it was determined to celebrate a solemn Requiem mass in the church where he had so frequently offered up the holy sacrifice of the mass. On Saturday last the service took place, when Father Dillon acted as celebrant, Father Dwyer as deacon, Brother Bonaventure as sub-deacon, and the Rev. B. Callachor as master of ceremonies. The Very Rev. the Vicar-General, Father Hewett, and others occupied seats within the sanctuary, and the church was crowded with a congregation, many of whom remembered the ministration of him who had for so many years preached the word of God to them, and for whose eternal repose they were taking part in the solemn offices. of the Church. Father Downing was also well known in Geelong, where he has a brother officiating in the principal church, and where a solemn dirge was also offered up for his soul. Requiescat in pace.

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Religious, Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, 20 August 1867, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123610979:

The Rev. H. Brun of Ipswich having lately received intelligence of the death of the Rev. Robert S. Downing, O.S.A., formerly priest in charge of the mission of Ipswich, considered it a duty to have the solemn service of the Church offered for the repose of the soul of one of his predecessors. Father Downing was appointed to the district of Ipswich in the year 1850, having succeeded the Rev. Father Luckie, the founder of the mission. At St. Mary's Church on Tuesday, July 30, at 8 o'clock a.m., the Office for the Dead was chanted, after which solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Henry Brun, assisted by the Very Rev. Robert Dunne, of Brisbane, as deacon, and the Rev. Matthew Horan as sub-deacon. The Rev. James Conway of Brisbane, and the Rev. D. J. Byrne of Toowoomba, officiated as cantors. The ceremony was attended by a very large and pious congregation.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 44: "Downing, Robert Simon OSA / Ir. / Italy / Melb., Syd., Bris. Ir. d. 22.2.1867 in Cork.(49)."

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Robert Simon Downing, OSA, died 22 Feb 1867

Born in Ireland, ordained in Italy. He worked in the Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane dioceses before returning to Ireland. He died in Cork aged 49 years. He was the priest at the first marriage celebrated in Warwick on 13th January, 1852 between Thomas McCulkin and Mary Rigby. (Ref. Archives and Linane D84)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 10:
Fr Robert Simon Downing OSA

Robert Downing was born at Kenmare in co Kerry in 1819. He commenced his studies in the Augustinian House at Granstown. Entering the novitiate at Genazzano in Italy he was professed in 1842. Further studies were pursued at Viterbo and Rome.

After ordination he returned to Ireland. In 1848 he set out for the Antipodes as a chaplain and catechist on a convict ship. Leaving Hobart he crossed to the diocese of Melbourne which was established in 1848, offering to help its first bishop Dr Gould for 12 months. He served in Geelong and at St Francis Church in Melbourne until June 1850.(1)

Fr Downing then moved to Bishop Polding’s domain. Appointed to Ipswich, he arrived in Brisbane on Saturday 21 September 1850, aboard the coastal steamer Eagle after a five day trip from Sydney via Newcastle. He celebrated his first baptism in Ipswich on 29 September. He ministered to the Brisbane and Ipswich Catholic communities while Fr Hanly visited settlements north of Brisbane such as Maryborough, the Burnett, Emu Creek and Cressbrook during October and mid-November. Shortly after the return of Fr Hanly, Fr Downing visited the Darling Downs with baptisms at Drayton and Warwick.(2)

In January 1851 the press reported that Father Downing was a member of the local board of the Ipswich Denominational School. The school was receiving an annual grant of £35 from the government. His time in Ipswich saw the population rise. A census of the colony of New South Wales in March 1851 showed the population in Ipswich as 932, with 200 in Drayton and 299 in Warwick. In January and April/ May Fr Downing visited and celebrated the sacraments on the Darling Downs.(3) He officiated at the first marriage in Warwick in 1852.(4)

On 21 August 1851 Robert Downing set off in the saddle on a missionary journey that lasted six weeks. He was at Laidley, Gatton, Drayton and Warwick, before going south to the Clarence River visiting settlements such as Tabalum and Grafton. He visited the New England district including Tenterfield, Casino and Wyangara on his return journey.(5)

In 1852, in January he was once again on the Downs, then again in March and May with visits to the Downs, Myall Creek (Dalby) and Westbrook, with a visit to Tenterfield in May. However on July 16th, registering a baptism in Brisbane, Fr Robert Simon Downing, CC OSA, wrote his last entry in the registers of the northern part of New South Wales. He was transferred to the south. Before his departure from Ipswich he was farewelled by his congregation and other Ipswich friends.(6)

He sailed from Brisbane on the coastal steamer Eagle on July 30 1852. His subsequent career was two years at Berrima and another two at Balmain where he built a presbytery and school. In 1856 he went to Portland in Victoria.
In 1859 his Order recalled him to Ireland. Appointed to one of the principal churches in Cork and Bursar of the Augustinian monastery, he died on 22 February 1867, aged 49 years.(7)

Footnotes
1. From Abel to Zundolovich, T J Linane, Footprints page 25.
2. The foundation of the Catholic Church in Queensland, Denis W Martin, 2018 edition, pp.121-123.
3. Ibid.
4. Prayer Calendar - Deceased Priest who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts 1864-2007, p. 13.
5. Ibid. p. 105 quoting The Men of ’38 and other pioneer priests, John O’Brien page 181.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid. p. 106.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.