William Westgarth and Westgarthtown

William Westgarth (1815-1889), a prominent Melbourne merchant, actively promoted German migration to Victoria, having observed the ‘industry, frugality, sobriety and general good conduct’ of Germans in South Australia. While on a visit to Europe during 1847/48 he travelled to Germany where he encouraged prospective emigrants to consider Melbourne as a destination. While in London he persuaded the British Government to offer a bounty to assist them to travel here.

Westgarth also provided assistance to German immigrants to Victoria after their arrival. An enduring achievement was the establishment of a German settlement at Thomastown, sixteen kilometres north of Melbourne. This settlement soon became known as Westgarthtown.