His father was a World War I veteran who often told his children how he had seen 6,000 men killed in a day, which Hewitt said made him a "rather serious child".
After completing primary school, he initially worked in Carricks Furniture Factory, which he hoped would lead to an apprenticeship, but didn't.
[1] He contested the newly seat of Belmont in the 1960 Queensland state election but was beaten by Labor's Fred Newton.
[1] From December 1980 to August 1983, Hewitt was the Minister for Environment, Survey and Valuation and Administrative Service in the Bjelke-Petersen government.
[1] Hewitt was held in high regard by his fellow politicians from all parties for his integrity and even-handness, being described in his role of Chairman of Committee by his political opponent Kevin Hooper as "one of the fairest and most impartial chairmen".