W. D. Hill

William Duguid Hill
Born	Magpie, Victoria, Australia
Died	14 November 1921(1921-11-14) (aged 63)
Occupation(s)	Auctioneer, arts administrator, politician
Known for	Organising South Street Society competitions; Mayor of Ballarat (three terms)

William Duguid Hill (7 January 1858 – 14 November 1921), widely recognized as W. D. Hill, was a distinguished resident of Ballarat, Victoria. He was instrumental in organising South Street Society competitions and served as a city councillor for many years, holding the mayoral office three times. Notably, during his final term, he played a key role in merging two previously competing councils.

History

Born in Magpie, Victoria, Hill was the son of Archibald Hill (circa 1808 – 1868), originally from Glasgow and proprietor of the East End Bakery, and Robina Hill (née Somerville), who later managed Hill's Hotel in Ballarat. His education began at Redan Primary School but was cut short, likely to assist his widowed mother. Concurrently, Hill gained employment with coachbuilders McCartney and Co. while attending evening classes at Central State School.

Hill ventured into auctioneering by forming a partnership with George Wicks under the name Wicks and Hill from April to November 1883, after which he assumed sole ownership. Subsequent business alliances included collaboration with W. L. Paine at the Federal Auction Mart on Armstrong Street and later with James M. Grose at City Auction Rooms from 1898 until his retirement from daily management, when L. A. Blackman took over operational duties.

Arts

During his youth, Hill actively participated in literary societies as part of his self-education, becoming a member of the Skipton Street Debating Society. Together with fellow night-school attendees, he co-founded the South Street Society, which convened at his mother’s hotel on South Street. Serving as secretary, Hill guided the club to prominence in literary and oratory competitions that drew contestants from nearby communities. He championed the establishment of a dedicated hall on Skipton Street named "South Street Society." Despite limited financial resources, most of the bank loan for this project was repaid within a few years. By 1891, these contests had evolved into the South Street Literary and Musical Competitions. With endorsements from notable figures such as future Prime Minister Alfred Deakin and Victoria’s Governor Lord Hopetoun, "South Street" became recognized nationally as a premier performing arts event. The club’s hall became known as the Athenaeum; when it became inadequate for their needs, Hill was pivotal in developing the larger Coliseum venue.

Civic

Hill entered public office in June 1905 when he was elected without opposition to Ballarat City council representing South Ward. Although challenged by Labor candidate John Eva in 1906, Hill won decisively and subsequently faced no further electoral contests. In 1909, he was chosen mayor by his fellow councillors, ending a 25-year tradition of rotational appointments; the mayoral stipend was £400. He held additional mayoral terms in 1916 and 1920. During the 1920 council meeting, a plebiscite endorsed merging Ballarat City and Ballarat East councils. On 25 May 1921, at a joint session chaired by rival mayor J. A. Pittard, Hill was unanimously appointed mayor of the newly unified council.

Other activities

In addition to his professional pursuits and early dedication to personal growth through involvement with the Skipton Street Debating Society and South Street Society, Hill devoted sixteen years as a councillor and three terms as mayor. His extensive civic contributions included:

• serving on the Water Board with multiple tenures as water commissioner
• appointment as Justice of the Peace in 1912 by Sir John Madden
• presidency of the Orphanage committee
• brief representation on the Health Board for district municipalities
• membership on both the School of Mines Council and High School Board
• fourteen years as secretary of the Ballarat Liedertafel
• two decades as secretary of St Andrew's Kirk board
• founding of Ballarat's Tourists' Bureau
• honorary secretaryship of the 1916 Queen Carnival
• presidency of the Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society
• long-standing membership in the Caledonian Society
• joint secretaryship of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society alongside Lyle Blackman, M.C.

Recognition

In 1917, as his second term as mayor was drawing to a close, he was honored through a public fundraising effort—an unusual accolade for someone still alive. Earlier, in 1906, the artist Thomas Price was tasked with creating his portrait for the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, underscoring his significance within the local community.

Family

Hill wed Katherine Elizabeth Bloore on 13 November 1895, and together they had two daughters:

• Elsie Hill
• Daisy Hill

Their home was located at 905 Skipton Street in Ballarat.

His brothers and sisters were:

• Robina Hill (circa 1850 – 1933)
• Archie Hill
• John Hill
• Eliza Jane "Elsie Jane" Hill (circa 1859 – 1921)

A tribute

Known far beyond Australasia, "South Street" owes its reputation to his dedicated efforts and purposeful life. Leading a modest and humble existence without seeking recognition or financial gain, Cr Hill contributed more than most to fostering public enthusiasm for the liberal arts. His hometown greatly benefited from his vision, diligence, positivity, and civic dedication. Serving three terms as Mayor and being the inaugural leader of united Ballarat, he played an active role in every public organization and charitable cause, leaving behind a distinguished legacy of exemplary citizenship.