William Highett

William Highett
Born	1807 Weymouth, Dorset, England
Died	29 November 1880 Richmond, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)	Banker, landholder, politician
Years active	1832–1880
Known for	Member of the Victorian Legislative Council; founding director of Bank of Victoria; managing director of Union Bank of Australia

William Highett (1807 – 29 November 1880) was a prominent banker, landholder, and political figure in colonial Victoria. He held a seat in the Victorian Legislative Council.

Early life

Born in Weymouth, Dorset, England in December 1807, Highett was the son of Joseph Highett and Elizabeth, née Harding. He had at least three siblings: John, Sarah, and Mary.

Colonial Australia

In February 1830, William arrived in Hobart Town with his brother John aboard the Elizabeth. They initially settled in Tasmania after acquiring a 500-acre land grant near George Town, subsequently expanding their landholdings near Launceston and Campbell Town. While John oversaw these estates, William took up the role of accountant at the Launceston branch of the Bank of Van Diemen's Land in 1832 and later became cashier at the Tamar Banking Company in 1835.

By 1838, both brothers had relocated to Victoria. William was appointed the inaugural manager and later managing director of the Melbourne branch of the Union Bank of Australia. After stepping down in 1842 for travel to Europe, he returned in 1845 to serve as local director. In 1849, he co-established the Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

Highett was instrumental in founding the Bank of Victoria in 1852, acting as director and deputy chairman. He also helped establish the Melbourne Banking Corporation as a director and held significant shares in the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company. His business interests extended to founding the Melbourne Auction Company (1840), the Melbourne Mechanics Institute (1839), and the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company (1857).

He constructed notable homes in Richmond alongside leading figures such as James Henty, Robert Hoddle, and Alfred Malleson. Highett served as a trustee for St Stephen's Church, Richmond, and by January 1847 was joint licensee of the expansive 27,000-acre Maindample pastoral property.

On 29 August 1853, he was appointed to the expanded unicameral Victorian Legislative Council, serving until its dissolution in March 1856. After an unsuccessful attempt that year, he secured election to the Council's Eastern Province in April 1857 following a successful challenge against William Kaye for bribery. Highett maintained this position until September 1880.

He was among the earliest members of the Melbourne Club (1838), participating on its committee from 1840 to 1850 and acting as trustee. Additionally, he was involved with the Melbourne Cricket Club.

At his passing on 29 November 1880, Highett lived on Bridge Road in Richmond. He remained unmarried throughout his life.

Legacy

By the decade of the 1870s, Highett possessed 6,117 acres within the Moorabbin Shire, part of which later developed into the Melbourne suburb named Highett. He also held property in Richmond—where Highett Street commemorates him—and in Mansfield, where a street on his former pastoral run carries his name.