[1] He studied theology at Harley College, East London, and in August 1879 was sent to Australia aboard Hesperus by the Colonial Missionary Society.
In 1891, while at Yarrawonga[3] he began publishing a series of monthly magazines titled The Murray Independent, sub-titled "Journal of Applied Christianity" dealing with (amongst other, local, issues) free speech, the abolition of war, of Socialist values and the policies of Henry George.
[1] Rivett had also opposed the Boer War and was a vocal opponent of Billy Hughes and conscription in 1916–17.
His last campaign was against the Australian Government's support of Fascism and the banning from Australia of the Czechoslovakian journalist Egon Kisch.
Rivett married Elizabeth Mary Ann Cherbury (c. 1862 – August 1936), daughter of the (Baptist) Rev.