The club's finances were modest, but within a few years most of the bank loan had been repaid, and the contests by 1891 had become South Street Literary and Musical Competitions.
The local member, later Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin and the Governor of Victoria, Lord Hopetoun, became loyal supporters, and "South Street" became one of the nation's foremost showcase of the performing arts.
[11] The following year his candidature was opposed by John Eva for the Labor faction, but Hill's friends and supporters were many,[12] and he was elected with a substantial majority[13] and unopposed thereafter.
[17] Apart from his business interests, and youthful interest in self improvement which led to the Skipton Street Debating Society and the South Street Society, followed by 16 years as a councillor and three terms as mayor, he was also:[2] In 1917, towards the end of his second term as mayor, a public subscription was called to express the town's regard for him,[20] an unusual honour for a living citizen.
Living quietly and unostentatiously, seeking neither fame nor monetary rewards, Cr Hill has done more to develop public interest in the liberal arts than any group of citizens who could be mentioned.
Three times Mayor, the first to preside over united Ballarat, an active worker in every public institution, energetic in pursuit of charitable movements, he has a most enviable record of good citizenship.