Frederick Josiah Mitter
The eldest son of Mr and Mrs C. F. Mitter, Frederick Josiah Mitter was born in Katanning in 1909. Following his schooling in Katanning, he joined the staff of Richardson & Co. Ltd. in 1925 as a junior in the company’s hardware department.
On his return from active service in 1946, he was appointed manager of Richardson & Co. Ltd., hardware department. When the firm of Max Richardson Pty, Ltd., was formed in July 1950, he became one of the foundation directors.
UNIQUE GATHERING TO FAREWELL FRED MITTER
Business Community Offers Best Wishes for Future
Great Southern Herald
17 December, 1954
In a gathering regarded as unique, representatives of the business community and a number of personal friends assembled on the invitation of Max Richardson Pty. Ltd., at the Katanning Club on Tuesday to bid farewell to Mr F. J. Mitter, who has relinquished his Katanning interests and will shortly take up residence in South Perth.
In extending a welcome to those attending the function, which was held in the visitor’s lounge at the Club, Managing Director of the company, Mr Max Richardson, said it had been felt Mr Mitter could not be allowed to leave the town without some gesture of appreciation being extended him.
The guest-of-honour had been held in very high regard throughout the business community for many years and it was appropriate its representatives should gather to wish him well. Born and bred in the town, and after 30 year’s business association, Mr Mitter was leaving to reside in Perth for family reasons. He had received a wide general training, and his experience equipped him well for a bright future.
Speaking on a more personal plane, Mr Richardson said he and Fred Mitter had known each other since boyhood days, had started work within a year of each other, and had been in close association in business for nearly thirty years.
Mr Mitter’s decision to leave Katanning had been a great blow, and his leaving would not only be a loss to me, said Mr Richardson, but also to the town, which did not like to lose its good citizens.
Supporting the remarks, Mr J. W. Old said it was possible Fred Mitter was leaving Katanning for the same reason that many others would like to – in fact many would envy him going to a place where liquid was plentiful except in glasses and schooners. Mr Old stated he had known the guest-of-honour for a long time and felt it was a pity the town should be losing such a solid citizen. However, his abilities were well known and should carry him to great heights, and he extended to Fred the best wishes for a happy future.
A toast to Mr Mitter was honoured and in responding, the guest-of-honour said his relationship with all firms in the town had always been happy, and he greatly appreciated the remarks passed, and also the action of his fellow directors for arranging the function. It had not been easy to decide to leave Katanning after 45 years spent here, nor to leave the many friends he had made, and he hoped that all would make full use of the welcome which would always exist at his new home in South Perth.
Mr T. G. Walker took the opportunity of expressing appreciation on behalf of those who lived out of town who had at all times received the greatest co-operation and assistance from Mr Mitter. On their behalf, he extended best wishes for the future.
PROMINENT IN BUSINESS AND SPORTING FIELDS
The eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs C. F. Mitter, Mr F. J. Mitter was born, in Katanning in 1909. Following his schooling in Katanning, he joined the staff of Richardson & Co. Ltd. in 1925 as a junior in the company’s hardware department. With the exception of a break of a few months as a lad and four years’ service during World War II, he has been associated with the hardware trade for almost 30 years.
On his return from active service in 1946, he was appointed manager of Richardson & Co. Ltd., hardware department. When the firm of Max Richardson Pty, Ltd., was formed in July 1950, he became one of the foundation directors and has played an important part in the development of the business, both as a director and as manager of the hardware department.
Mr Mitter has played an active part in the community life of the town and was at various times an office-bearer with the P. & C., R.S.L., and other local organisations. A prominent sportsman, he was a member of the old Centrals Football Club, and for nine years was selected as a carnival player.
A vice-president of the Katanning Tennis Club for a number of years, he represented the Club in pennant tennis for 25 years, and for a period was the No. 1 player. A low handicap player with the Katanning Golf Club, he has won the Club championship three times and was twice runner-up. For several years he was vice-captain of the Club. Mr Mitter was president of the Wanderers Cricket Club for three years, and has been appointed the patron of several sporting organisations at various times.
In 1935, Mr Mitter married Miss D. Richmond, and they have a family of three boys. Prior to her marriage Mrs Mitter was also prominent in sport and twice represented W.A. in interstate hockey.
Commenting on his decision to sever his association with the town, Mr Mitter said the decision had not been an easy one, nor was it made at short notice. However, all members of his wife’s and his own family were resident in Perth and, apart from wishing to be in closer contact with them, he was also most anxious to take full advantage of the educational facilities available in the metropolitan area. Mr Mitter said he and his family were looking forward to enjoying the many additional amenities of the city.
Mr Mitter said he would continue in his present capacity with Max Richardson Pty. Ltd., until the close of the store on Christmas Eve. It was anticipated he and his family would leave Katanning early in February and would live in the South Perth area, where there were resided numerous relatives and many ex-Katanning friends.
Speaking on his plans for the future, Mr Mitter stated he had received several attractive offers from city organisations but as yet had made no final decision as to what he would do. As far as his interests in Katanning were concerned, he intended to ultimately dispose of them all.
NEW APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
Subsequent
to the announcement of Mr Mitter’s decision to sever his connection with Katanning,
Managing Director of Max Richardson Pty. Ltd., Mr M. R. Richardson, said, two
new appointments had been made.
Mr Clem Prosser, a foundation director, would now become assistant manager. Mr Cecil Rogers, previously employed by Rogers Ltd., and a grandson of the founder of the Central Store, the late Mr W. G. Rogers, and who had joined the staff of Max Richardson Pty. Ltd. when the company was formed, would become manager of the hardware department.
Fred Mitter died in Perth on 24 September, 1987, aged 78 years and his wife Doris Mitter (nee Richmond) died 23 November, 1999.
Frederick Josiah Mitter. Frederick Josiah Mitter. Frederick Josiah Mitter.