Born in Scotland 1813, Robert McCracken set sail for Australia a few months after his mother died in 1840.  He arrived in Australia on January 4, 1841.  In 1851, he started a brewery with brother Peter, which he managed until he died.  

His home "Ailsa", in Mt. Alexander Road, Ascot Vale, was purchased from Captain William Henry Buckley in 1865 for £3,000.  Robert was Treasurer of the Board of St. Johns Presbyterian Church for 17 years, forced to resign in 1879 due to ill health.  He lived at "Ailsa" until his death in February 1885.     

Robert’s wife, Margaret was Mayoress of Essendon three times, 1869-70, 1879-80, and 1880-81.  She died September 19, 1905.  Her funeral was at Melbourne General Cemetery.

In January 1907 Ailsa Estate was put on the market under instructions of their son, Alex McCracken.  It was purchased in April 1908 by The Sisters of Mercy. Mercy Teachers’ College in Mt. Alexander Road was opened by Bishop Reville in February 1909.  In 1936 "Ailsa" was demolished for reasons unknown.  All that remains is a small building, which was once part of the coachman’s quarters and is now used as the student counsellor’s office.