The Shire of Maldon was formed in January 1864 by the amalgamation of the Borough of Maldon and the Baringhup Road Board. The Road Board had been responsible for roads from Baringhup in the west to Muckleford in the east.  Initially the Shire was divided into two ridings based on the old boundaries of the Borough and the Road Board.

From the start, Muckleford ratepayers were unhappy with being represented b