Hi Penne,

Re... "Alexander died in 1879 which also fits."

I cannot see a death in 1879, but rather one in June 1873

The Newcastle Chronicle, Thursday 26 June 1873:
Suicide at Geelong
.....
Elizabeth Roxburgh, a daughter, ............ Alexander Forbes, stated that, on Friday evening, he spoke to his father,....... Write home to my brother William.


Bendigo Advertiser, Monday 16 June 1873

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
VICTORIA.
Geelong, 15th June.
Mr. Alexander Forbes, the landlord of the Culloden Castle Hotel, Geelong, a colonist of thirty-five rears standing, and landlord of the Frenchman's Inn, Cressy, a quarter of a century ago, committed suicide an Saturday evening by taking strychnine. Family disagreements are said to have been the cause. The deceased was highly respected.
Trove search words:

“alexander forbes”


His Digitized Will, on Prov.

Alexander Forbes Hotel-Keeper Geelong 14 Jun 1873 10/988 VPRS 28/P0, unit 124;
VPRS 28/P2, unit 16;
VPRS 7591/P2, unit 11


Not sure if this death rego is him...


Death Index, 1787-1985
about Alexander Forbes
Name: Alexander Forbes
Death Place: Victoria
Age: 60
Father's Name: John
Mother's Name: Martha Fraser
Registration Year: 1873
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration number: 4118
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1813

Mary