WILLIAMS, Douglas Graeme (1936-2018)
'Graeme' Williams, a respected local architect, Geelong Football Club Director, Davis Cup Tennis Foundation Director, and a long-time supporter of local Geelong Tennis died, aged 81 years, on 24 April 2018.
'Graeme' was well-known in Geelong not only as the Managing Director of the architectural firm D. Graeme Williams & Associates but also as a passionate supporter of football and tennis. 'Graeme' was a Past President of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club 1973-1990, a Past President of the Barwon Region Tennis Council, and had been a board member of the Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation from 1984 to 2014 with eight years as Vice-President.
His long association with football included roles as a Board member of the Geelong Football Club 1974-1990, Chairman of the Geelong Football Club Social Club, Board Member of the Victorian Football League (now AFL) from 1976 to 1986, and recipient of the Australian Sports Medal for his outstanding service to sport.
John Holt, former Geelong College Football Club President and contemporary of 'Graeme' paid tribute to him as: 'A brilliant sporting administrator and equally talented sportsman in his own right, Williams was also a leading figure in the building industry as a gifted architect with significant works in Ballarat and Geelong. Williams was the club’s longest-serving president in the club’s 136-year history, holding the position between 1974-90, and a club life member for several decades. He also represented the region in tennis country week carnivals with distinction over two decades.'
'Graeme' Williams was a day student at Geelong College from 6 February 1947 to December 1953. The son of John Gordon and Edna Mavis Williams, he was born on 8 December 1936 and prior to entering College had attended Newtown State School. His address at entry was 50 Aberdeen St Newtown. At College he was a member of Shannon House, the Drill Platoon and the 2nd Football XVIII in 1954 and became Senior Tennis Champion in 1953. In 1953, he had also been Captain of the U16A Football Team.
His brothers, Rev Ronald Gordon Williams (1930-1983), and John Russell Williams (1933-1982), were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Ad Astra December 1950 p4; The Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation News, 22 May 2014; Geelong Advertiser 28 April 2018; 'Tributes for former Geelong Cats board member ...' by Nick Wade, Geelong Advertiser 2 May 2018. OGC 1950.