The motto ‘Vires acquirit eundo’ (meaning, in its literal translation, ‘we gather strength as we go’) was suggested to the Mayor of Melbourne by the first Judge of the district (Judge Willis), a well-known Latin scholar who, recalling the passage in Virgil’s fourth book of the Aeneid – “Fama, malum qua non aliud velocius ullum: mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo” – thought it would be appropriate for the new Town Council.

Alderman Condell and his fellow aldermen and councillors also must have thought it appropriate, for the three words ‘Vires acquirit eundo’ were adopted by the Council as the motto for the Town.

Curiously, the passage quoted refers to the Roman goddess, Rumour. The lines preceding the text used for the motto refer to Rumour as she raced through Africa and state that of all the pests Rumour is the swiftest. The actual motto translates as follows: “In her freedom of movement lies her power, and she gathers strength with her going.”