Died, Mount Alexander Mail, 26 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197546855:

At the Roman Catholic Presbytery, Castlemaine, on Sunday, September 25th, Rev. William Quinlan, aged 27 years.

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Items of News, Mount Alexander Mail, 26 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197546859:

We have to record, with feelings of regret, the untimely death of the Rev. Father Quinlan. The reverend father had been ill for several weeks past, and no hope was entertained of his recovery. His death, although not unexpected, will be an occasion of sorrow to those to whom he was personally known, and to others by whom his amiable qualities were appreciated. Although he has been but a short time amongst us, he has displayed abilities of great promise, and had he been spared to fulfil his holy mission, would no doubt have been an honor to the priesthood. The news of his death was conveyed to the officiating priest yesterday during the celebration of mass, and the announcement cast a gloom over the whole congregation.

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Funeral of the Rev. W. Quinlan, R.C.C., Mount Alexander Mail, 28 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197545674:

One of the largest funeral processions that has ever passed through the streets of Castlemaine wended its way yesterday to the Campbell's Creek Cemetery. We have already mentioned the death of Father Quinlan, a young Roman Catholic clergyman, who had only recently taken up his abode among us; and yesterday, according to announcement, the interment of his remains took place. During the morning large crowds thronged the church reserve, and previous to the removal of the coffin solemn services were performed by a number of clergymen, including the Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne.

The procession was of great length, notwithstanding the inclement weather, the hearse being followed by about fifty vehicles of all descriptions, together with a large number of horsemen and pedestrians. We are indebted to the Rev. Father Kavanagh for the following notice of the ceremony:—

"On yesterday, 27th instant, the obsequies of the Rev. W. Quinlan were celebrated at the Catholic Church of Castlemaine. From an early hour the holy sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated by the several clergymen who attended. At 10 o'clock, his Lordship the Righ Rev. Dr. Goold, preceded by the clergy, entered the sanctuary, and the solemn office of the dead being chanted, Requiem Mass was sung by the Rev. G. V. Barry, celebrant; Rev. E. O'Dwyer, deacon; Rev. M. Nolan, sub-deacon; Rev. W. Finn, master of ceremonies; Very Rev. J. B. Hayes, D.D., Dean of Sandhurst, and Rev. J. F. Corbett, cantores. The other clergy present were—Rev. P. Kavanagh, Rev. H. England, Rev. H. Geoghegan, and the Rev. P. Slattery. At one o'clock, all that was was mortal of the good and exemplary young clergyman was removed from the church, the coffin being borne on the shoulders of his brother priests, who loved him so well during his short career, and could not be unmindful of him after death, since they came from a distance to manifest this last tribute of affection to his memory.

"The imposing ceremonial of the Catholic Church having been observed, according to the rubrics, the remains were placed in the hearse and accompanied to their last resting place by a numerous and respectable concourse, not only of the Catholic population, who were most intimately acquainted with his sterling worth, but also by those of other denominations, who joined with their fellow-townsmen in showing how they could appreciate the virtues of an unassuming and virtuous young priest.

"Having arrived at the Cemetery, Campbell's Creek, the coffin was taken from the hearse on the shoulders of four priests, the clergy chanting the psalms, "Miserere," and "De Profundis." The "Benedictus" being sung, the coffin was lowered into its mortal tenement, which will now hold all that was earthly of this good young priest until the last trumpet shall summon all to appear before the Judgment Seat."

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 58: "Quinlan, William Francis / Ir. / AH / Melb. (Castlemaine) 1863-4. d. Castlemaine 25.9.1864".

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A Prayer-Calendar of Deceased Priests & Deacons in Australia 1788-2009, compiled by W.T. Southerwood, Sixth Edition, 2009, p 119: "Carisbrook, Port Fairy, Castlemaine, etc, Vic"