Hughie Williams

Hughie Williams was an Australian trade union member and activist who worked in Queensland. In the 1970s Williams was a key figure in organising anti-apartheid protests against the South Africa rugby union team’s tour of the country. He later represented the Transport Workers Union of Australia, first serving as the secretary of the Brisbane branch in the 1980s, before serving as the state secretary of the Queensland branch from 1992 until 2010. In the 1990s Williams helped to found the Union Cooperative Society in the state, also serving as their chair.

Prior to his union activities, Williams was a keen amateur freestyle wrestler. In 1964 he was selected to compete in the light-heavyweight class at the Tokyo Olympics. At the Games he defeated Sión Cóhen (PAN) before suffering consecutive loses to Ahmet Ayık (TUR) and Said Mustafov (BUL) to be eliminated. Two decades later Williams helped with the organisation of the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, with him later honoured as a Gold Life Member of Wrestling Australia for his services to the sport.