Dr William Wyatt

The Wyatt Trust is named after Dr William Wyatt, an English settler who arrived in South Australia in 1837.

Dr Wyatt (1804-1886) was a surgeon by training who went on to hold many official positions during his lifetime in Adelaide. 

With no surviving heirs, Dr Wyatt instructed that the money he had made, including from land purchases, be directed to a Trust bearing his name. The Wyatt Trust began operating in 1886 upon his death.

From its earliest days, the Trust’s purpose was to benefit Dr Wyatt’s fellow South Australians, particularly those experiencing poverty.

The work of The Wyatt Trust has evolved over the years and while its impact has continued to grow, the focus remains unchanged.

Through its grant making, advocacy and influence on systems, the Trust exists to support the creation of a South Australia free from poverty.


1804

Born in Plymouth, UK

1827

Graduated as Apothecary Surgeon

1837

Arrived Glenelg, South Australia
Purchased six Adelaide Town Acres

1839

Purchased land on Boston Island and Encounter Bay

1843

Purchased and built Kurralta

1881

Created Will establishing Trust

1886

Died in Adelaide, South Australia

Color portrait of Dr William Wyatt

William Wyatt, Civic Appointments

1837

Appointed Justice of the Peace
Appointed Magistrate

1837-39

Protector of Aborigines

1837-56

Botanic Gardens - Colonial Naturalist

1837-64

Adelaide Surgery - Surgeon

1838-47

Botanical & Horticultural Gardens Society - Rainfall Recording

1838-55

Council of Natural History Society of SA - Committee Member

1838

Adelaide Hospital - Colonial Infirmary Inquiry

1838-85

Adelaide Hospital - Medical Board Secretary

1838-43

South Australia Club - Founding Committee

1839

Botanical & Horticultural Gardens Society - Secretary

1840-46

Board of Audit

1841-43

Church Society - Committee Member

1841

SA Savings Bank - Director

1846-64

Lunatic Asylum - Physician

1847

Coroner
SA Colonial Railway - Director

1847-86

St Peter's College - Board of Governors
Holy Trinity Church - Elected Trustee

1848

Court of Revision for East Adelaide - Member

1848-69

Pulteney Grammar - Foundation Trustee & Examiner

1849

Adelaide City Councillor
Council of Natural History Society of SA - Chairman

1851-74

First Chief Inspector of Schools

1852

Adelaide City Commissioner SA Savings Bank - Trustee

1855-57

Botanic Gardens - Administration Committee for Foundation

1855-79

Botanic Gardens - Governor / Deputy Chairman

1858

SA Book Club - Secretary

1859

Adelaide Philosophical Society

1860

SA Institute - Governor

1861

SA Institute - Chairman of Society of Arts

1862-68

Public Library - Governor

1864

Lunatic Asylum - Royal Commission Chair

1865-67

Adelaide Hospital - Review

1868-85

Adelaide Hospital - Committee Member

1869-73

Adelaide Hospital - Central Vaccine Board

1870-85

Adelaide Hospital - Chairman of Board

1872-74

Model School - Planning and Building

1875-85

RSPCA - Founding Treasurer

1877-86

Commissioner of Charitable Funds

1879-83

Acclimisation society - Member & Vice President

1879

Zoological Gardens - Vice President

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