Robbie Williams (12 June 1962 – 20 December 2007) was the first Indigenous Australian councillor to sit on the Brisbane City Council.[1] He had held the role only since October 2007, but had been tipped to win a seat in the council elections in March 2008. Williams had previously served three terms as a regional councillor with ATSIC and was later the ATSIC commissioner for Brisbane and southeast Queensland. He was widely known for his community work,[2] and was the founder and chair of First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of indigenous youth, in 1992.[3]
Robbie Williams | |
|---|---|
| Councillor of the City of Brisbane for Holland Park Ward | |
| In office October 2007 – 20 December 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Kerry Rea |
| Succeeded by | Ian McKenzie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 June 1962 |
| Died | 20 December 2007 (aged 45) |
| Political party | Labor |
Williams was the son of Hazel, an Aboriginal woman with connections to the Yugambeh language group, and his father was Bob Williams, a butcher. He trained and worked as a butcher for several years before gaining a diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander welfare and joining the Australian Public Service, working in the Department of Social Security.[4]
He was married to Trish and had four children. He died of a heart attack at the age of 45 on 20 December 2007.
References
edit- ^ "The Courier Mail | Breaking News Headlines for Brisbane and Queensland | Courier Mail".
- ^ Robinson, Georgina (29 December 2007). "Hundreds honour 'Aboriginal warrior'". Brisbane Times.
- ^ Robinson, Georgina (28 September 2007). "Robbie Williams to enter politics". Brisbane Times.
- ^ Hundreds farewell 'Aboriginal warrior' | The Australian
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