William Highett

William Highett (1807 – 29 November 1880) was a banker, landowner and politician in colonial Victoria. He was also a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. There were at least three siblings, John (born 1810), Sarah and Mary (1817).

Colonial Australia Along with his brother John, William Highett arrived in Hobart Town aboard the Elizabeth in February 1830.

In 1852 he took a leading role in establishing the Bank of Victoria and became one of its directors and deputy chairman.

He was a founder and director of the Melbourne Banking Corporation and a major shareholder in the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company. He was also a founder of the Melbourne Auction Company (1840), the Melbourne Mechanics Institute (1839) and the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company (1857).

He was one of a number of early colonists who built substantial homes on the high ground in Richmond. His neighbours included James Henty, Robert Hoddle, and Alfred Malleson. He was a trustee of St Stephen's Church, Richmond.

He was joint licensee of the 27,000 acre Maindample pastoral run by January 1847.

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 successfully petitioning the incumbent, William Kaye, for bribery. Highett held the seat until September 1880. He was also an early member of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Highett was living in Bridge Road, Richmond, at the time of his death on 29 November 1880.