Williamstown Notables - Andrew Rider

When he first arrived in Melbourne, he immediately set up his home and business in Williamstown. He started off as a hairdresser, being listed in the 1856 Electoral Roll as such with his house and shop on Nelson Parade. By 1860, while still advertising his Hairdressing, Shaving and Shampooing business in the Williamstown Chronicle, he had also started importing “Fancy and other Goods” from the London market for sale to the ladies of the town. In 1856 he was one of the 322 resident householders in the town of Williamstown who petitioned that the said district of Williamstown be proclaimed a Municipal District.



He seems to have been a real entrepreneur as by 1860, he had also started his photographic business, opening his Photographic Studio in Nelson Place. He was the first to open a photographic business in Williamstown and was recognised at the forefront of his profession. By 1869 he was promoting himself as a “Prized Medallist” in his advertising – as he had won a prize at the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1866-67. He was also advertising in local newspapers that he was an Agent for The Age, Argus and Melbourne Leader newspapers.

He was also the Licensee of the Bay View Hotel over different periods from 1870 to 1903.

In 1872 his wife Susanna died leaving him with a number of relatively young children to care for. He then married Mary Harvey Conradi, a widow with 5 children of her own.

In 1876 it was reported that he had been successful in taking a large photograph of the Williamstown Mechanics Institute building (below) which was on display at the Institute.

Andrew Rider died on 3 August, 1903 at his daughter’s house in Port Melbourne, and is buried in Williamstown Cemetery