William Highett

William Highett (1807 – 29 November 1880) was a banker and politician in colonial Victoria, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council.

Early life

Highett was born in Weymouth, Dorset, England, the son of Joseph Highett and his wife Elizabeth, née Harding.

Colonial Australia

Along with his brother John, William Highett arrived in Hobart Town aboard the Elizabeth in February 1830. The brothers acquired land in Van Diemen's Land. William became first Melbourne manager of the Union Bank of Australia in 1838 and in 1840 became a local director with the title of managing director.

On 29 August 1853 Highett was nominated to the unicameral Victorian Legislative Council along with several others due to the expansion of the Council. Highett held this position until the original Council was abolished in March 1856. After an unsuccessful candidacy in 1856, Highett was elected to Eastern Province in the new Council (now the upper house) in April 1857, after successfully petitioning the incumbent, William Kaye, for bribery. Highett held the seat until September 1880.

Highett owned land in the Moorabbin Shire, part of which was named Highett after him. Highett died in Richmond, Victoria on 29 November 1880. He never married.