See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88620242 for information about the development of the Heathcote Junction to Bendigo Railway Richard Hartley Smith Abbott, company director, was born, probably in Bendigo, Victoria, around 1859, the son of Richard Hartley Abbott, also a company director, and Ann, née Smith. The young Richard was educated at Bendigo High School and then at St Andrews, Scotland. Returning to Australia, he became proprietor of the Abbott Supply Company, a director of the Sandhurst Building Society, the Bendigo Gas Company, and several local mining enterprises. He owned farms at Lyell, Mandurang and Eppalock, and was a pioneer of lucerne cultivation and tanning. In 1887, Abbott became a councillor for Strathfieldsaye Shire, a position he held for fifteen years. He was shire president (1901–02) and a Bendigo City councillor (1904–09; 1913–19), serving as mayor of Bendigo between 1917 and 1918.Off- white coloured card with black printing Sandhurst, Heathcote and Seymour RAILWAY LEAGUE A meeting of the Executive Committee will be held at the Town Hall, on...........at 3 p.m., at which your attendance is particularly requested R. H. S. ABBOTT, Hon. Sec. bendigo, sandhurst heathcote and seymour railway, rhs abbott