Hugo William Du Rietz

Hugo William Du Rietz (sometimes written as Du Reitz, Durietz, Dureitz) (c. 1831–1908) was a pioneer gold miner and architect in Gympie, Queensland, Australia. He was the architect of many heritage-listed buildings in Gympie.

Hugo William Du Rietz was born 3 April 1831 in Vittskövle, Sweden, the son of Johan Fredrik Du Rietz (a lieutenant in the Royal Navy of Sweden) and his wife Johanna Ulrika Charlotte Borgh Hugo Du Rietz was educated as an architect and served in 1849 in the First Schleswig War as a volunteer for Denmark.

Attracted by news of the gold rush, Du Rietz emigrated to Ballarat, Victoria in 1852 where he had some success in alluvial gold mining. He was present during the Eureka Rebellion.

He came to Queensland following reports of gold being found at Canoona (near Rockhampton). However, Canoona produced very little gold. He then moved to Brisbane where he established himself as a building contractor. In 1865 he built the Bank of New South Wales building at the corner of Queen and George Streets (which was replaced in 1928 with the present Bank of New South Wales Building). He was also an active member in the first years of the Brisbane Municipal Council.

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