William John Heatley

The Mayor of Townsville during the Great Depression, 1927-1933.

Compiled by Colin West

William John Heatley was the eldest son of Francis, and Kate Heatley. William John Heatley was born in Townsville on 9th September, 1890. He attended the West End Primary School and later the Townsville Grammar School, where he played all sports enthusiastically, if confusingly to his opponents, as he was truly ambidextrous. He played tennis and golf left or right handed, but in cricket he batted right handed and bowled left handed.

After leaving the Townsville Grammar School, William Heatley worked in a small cabinetmaking and furniture business that his father owned in Flinders Street. The premises were small. and for many years the office consisted of a loft with barely enough room for one person.  It was reached by climbing the almost vertical stairs, built to conserve space.    The business was known as F. Heatley and Sons. As the business expanded, the premises were enlarged on the site where Coles Store now stands.

The great depression which started in 1929 had a catastrophic effect on the business.  As furniture sales are early casualties in any recession, it became necessary to put the factory staff on part-time work. This was a devastating blow to the men concerned as they were reduced to almost subsistence level by being able to work only two days in one week and three days in the next. This was a dreadful decision for any caring employer to make, and it affected William Heatley greatly, as these men and their families were personal friends as well as employees. However, no one knew how long the depression would last, and it was problematical as to whether the business would survive at all.

Illness was no respecter of depressions.  When a family was affected by illness an approach would be made to William Heatley to see whether extra work could be found to cover the additional expenses.  Such requests were invariably agreed to, and another piece of furniture was usually added to the unsold stock.  This stock and the firm's overdraft were about the only things that increased in those years.

In 1927 local Government elections took place and William John Heatley was elected as Mayor.  At the time William Heatley did not realize that he would soon be confronted by one of the greatest crises in the history of the nation - the Great Depression. This was a challenge that no other Mayor, before or since, had to face.

The citizens of Townsville had so much respect for William Heatley particularly in his struggle against the distress caused by the depression that they elected him again as their leader in their dark hour of need in 1930.  William Heatley continued to lead his city during the 1930's and by 1933 the worst of the depression was over.  William John Heatley had "fathered" his city during its great crisis, and though, he would have won the 1933 election convincingly, he decided not to seek re-election.  He had rendered service to his city of the highest order - it had taken a toll of his mental and physical resources.

The war years, from 1939 to the time of his death in 1944, were difficult and sad ones for William Heatley, as they were for millions of other people. Although men and women from the firm enlisted or were called up for service, the business was carried on with greatly reduced staff, particularly male. This meant work seven days and occasionally seven nights a week for William Heatley in spite of increasingly bed health from 1940 onwards.

He never refused a request for help from any society or body working in support of the armed services. Transport and furniture were constantly loaned for innumerable meetings, civic functions and fund-raising gatherings, even though staff was scarce.  Part of the Flinders Street premises were given rent-free, for the duration, as a club to the Dutch Forces; another section was given over to the Comforts Fund.

CONCLUSION

William John Heatley. embodied the qualities that civilized societies respect: dedication to his family, responsibility to the community in which he lived;      a firm resolve when confronted with a crisis of the greatest magnitude.

William John Heatley will be long remembered as a community leader and as a high-principled citizen. The greatest tribute to him is the city of Townsville itself.  Whatever the future of Townsville may be, he will be remembered as the man who guided the city of Townsville through its great crisis the Great Depression.

Our school that perpetuates the name of Heatley can take inspiration from William John Heatley;  courage in the face of adversity; a warm and approachable personality; and above all a high sense of duty to his fellowmen.

Source: Booklet produced for 1980 Heatley Memorial lecture 9 October 1980.

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Disclaimer: This is not an official site for the Heatley State High School or the Heatley Secondary College and is not endorsed by Queensland Education. Information contained on this site is presented in good faith however if there is any errors or corrections please contact me by email.

page created by Glen Hall 20 January 2003.

last updated 10 May 2003.