Politics and Public Service
Throughout his life, Pitt had strong political aspirations. He was known to participate in various fraternities including being an active member of the Australian Natives Association and also the Freemasons.
He was first elected to the City of Collingwood's council in 1888 and became mayor in 1890 and served also in 1891 before retiring from council in 1894.
He was also a member of the Victorian Legislative Council North Yarra Province between 1891 and 1904 and for the Eastern Province in 1904-10. Pitt was a vocal supporter of the Australian Federation Movement.
Pitt was made chairman of the Melbourne Harbor Trust in 1901 and served until 1905.
A rare foray into residential architecture with the design of Avalon Mansion (1903) at 70 Queens Road. He also redesigned the interior of Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney in 1903.
Hi design throughput increased at the turn of the decade and among his subsequent projects included surviving buildings such as the Empire Works (later Bryant and May factory) (1909) in inner suburban Richmond, the Victorian Racing Club (1910) on Collins Street (demolished), Wellington Opera House (1911) and Sir Charles Hotham Hotel (1912), which survives on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets as a backpacker hostel.
Read more about this topic: William Pitt (architect)
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