The Australian Women's Register

Correspondence, 1931-1954, incl. letters from R.G. Menzies, J.B. Chifley and A.W. Fadden; drafts of speeches and reminiscences, n.d.; papers relating to Pitt’s deceased estate, 1955-1995; publications and newscuttings; photographs. Henry Arthur Pitt was born in Colac in 1872, the son of a rural school teacher. The financial repercussions of his father’s early death forced Henry to abandon his plans to study law and instead he entered the Victorian Public Service. After working ten years a clerk of courts in Omeo, he was promoted to the State Treasury in 1909. He studied accountancy part time and made a rapid advancement up the Public Service ranks, serving as Manager of the Australian Wheat Board from 1916-1922 and then Under Treasurer of Victoria, later retitled Director of Finance. He was Agent-General for Victoria in London for a brief period in 1927 and in 1935 he was appointed to the Royal Commiss- ion into Australia’s ‘monetary and financial systems’. He retired from the Public Service in 1937 and became a partner in the stockbroking firm of Ian Potter & Co. He also served on the boards and committees of the Lawn Tennis Associations of Victoria and Australia, Georges Ltd., the Royal Children’s Hospital and University College. In 1899 he married Gertrude Augusta Buxton, with whom he had four children; one was the historian, Kathleen Fitzpatrick. Henry Arthur Pitt, C.M.G., O.B.E. died on 3 August, 1955.