He returned to Australia and took parts in light operas such as Gaspard in "Le Cloches de Corneville" and Pippo in "La Mascotte". His reputation was, however, not fully established until he began to play in Savoy operas with the J. C. Williamson company, with whom he remained for thirty years. In 1881 he played his first such role, taking over the principal comic part of Major-General Stanley in "The Pirates of Penzance". He next played Sir Joseph in the company's revival of "H.M.S. Pinafore". He originated the part of Bunthorne in "Patience" later the same year to glowing reviews. "The Brisbane Courier" said of his Bunthorne, "Competent judges say that he is the best representative of the part who has ever appeared, and that his appreciation of the grotesque humour of it is better from an artistic point of view than that of the original performer." In addition to Gilbert and Sullivan productions, in 1882, he appeared as Captain Flapper in the comic opera "Billie Taylor", and in the title role in "Rip van Winkle" in 1883.