He worked himself up from a store clerk in Ipswich to successfully establishing an ironmongery business in Toowoomba and Warwick in 1876.

[3] He was a member and trustee of the Methodist Church in Toowoomba and follower of John Wesley's theological system.

[4] In 1878 Robert Aland was invited to stand as a candidate during the redistribution of the Legislative Assembly seat of Toowoomba and gained third place after Hon.

[2][4] Furthermore, during his life, Aland held major shares of the Toowoomba Foundry Company and acted as the chairman of directors from 1886 to 1901.

[1] Hundreds of people assembled at his service led by Reverends J. G. Martin and Blamires, which included members of the council, Grammar School trustees, the Police Magistrate, the Hospital Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and leading business men and professionals of Toowoomba and area.