Draft:William Hart (businessperson, born 1855)

William Hart (1855-1937 ) was also known as William Henry Hart and William Hart Jnr. because of his father being named William Hart.

William Hart Jnr was an Australian businessman and entrepreneur who was well known for his philanthropy and support of sport (bowling) and Aviation in Australia.

His financial contributions, support and encouragement of his son, William Ewart Hart ("Bill") Hart, is little known or recognised in Australian history.

Hart Drive (also called the Cumberland Highway) in Wentworthville, NSW is named after the Hart family.

History
His father William Hart (Senior) arrived in Australia at age 24, working hard as a builder to provide for himself and his growing family. His father passed on his skills and business to his 3 sons. William Hart Jnr and his brothers were part of the ‘Hart and Sons’ business. William Hart Jnr later became senior partner of the Hart, Hitchcock and Co business.

Hart purchased the property and commissioned the building of his “villa”, the historic heritage of “Castrella” in Wentworth Avenue, Wentworthville of the shire of Parramatta, NSW. This historic house is well known in the local area and heritage listed.

Business
The ‘Hart and Sons’ business founded by Mr William Hart (William Hart Jnr’s father) was adversely affected by the 1894 depression and other depressions including the Great Depression.

The business was very large and famous in the local area as ‘Hart, Hitchcock and Co.’, with William Hart (Jnr) as senior partner. William Hart (Jnr) worked in the firm until he was nearly 80 years old, becoming hard of hearing in his latter years. The firm is part of the history and contributed to the development Sydney and expansion of Western Sydney with its base in Parramatta.

The business and William Hart (Jnr) contributed to his son William Ewart Hart plane repairs.

Contributions to Sport
Bowling: William Hart (Jnr) supported philanthropically and as a player of bowls. He became a member of Parramatta Bowling Club in 1886. Hart played for NSW in Interstate games. He was also captain of Parramatta’s team for some years. Hart was associated with the NSW Bowling Association. He was club champion three times in; 1907, 1908 and 1911; and runner-up three other times. He was also successful in club pairs with his old friend George Coates. William Hart was made a life-member of the Parramatta Bowling Club (only one of only four members at the time of his death) with fifty years club membership.

Fishing: William Hart (Jnr) was an expert angler fisherman. He was a regular visitor to the Hawkesbury_River for most of his life.

Contributions to the Community
William Hart (Jnr) contributed generously to various community appeals and charitable causes in a quiet, unostentatious manner.

William Hart (Jnr) was a life-governor of the Parramatta District Hospital.

William Hart (Jnr) was fond of history and would remind community members of the local history of Parramatta and associated antidotes.

Contributions to Aviation
William Hart (Jnr) contributed generously in support of his son, William Ewart Hart ("Bill") Hart. His financial contributions, enthusiasm and encouragement for his son, contributed greatly to Australian aviation history.

For example just a few weeks after his son Billy purchase his first plane (in 1911) and had some flying lessons from the vendor’s mechanic, the plane was severely damaged in a storm. The family assisted and the plane was completely rebuilt with funds and materials from their timber business. (William Hart Senior, Billy’s grandfather had recently passed away in 1910). The rebuilt airplane was built using both Australian timbers and with the expertise of his family and possibly others in the family business’s.