Introducing Hugh Williamson House
18 September 2024
The Ballarat Foundation is excited to announce the renaming of 7 Lydiard St South, as Hugh Williamson House, after the major redevelopment of the building.
Generously committing $500,000, the Hugh Williamson Foundation have ensured the Ballarat Foundation Giving Hub will serve as a central location for charitable organisations in the Ballarat community. he Ballarat Innovation Grant aims to support new and innovative programs.
The Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation aims to support and strengthen communities across Melbourne and rural Victoria. The Trustees source potential projects and take a close interest in the progress of each, encouraging partnerships, and building on projects’ successes.
About Hugh Dean Thomas Williamson CBE
Hugh Dean Thomas Williamson CBE was born on 4 February 1901 at 37 Eyre Street in Ballarat, where his father worked as a mechanic. He attended Ballarat’s Dana Street Primary School No. 33 from around 1906 to 1913, followed by Ballarat High School until May 1917. At just 16, Hugh began his banking career with the Ballarat Banking Company, a journey that took him across regional Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand.
His career culminated in 1954 when he was appointed General Manager of ANZ Bank, a role he held until his retirement in 1961. Hugh’s leadership laid the foundation for ANZ Bank's strong performance in the decades that followed. He also served as President of the Bankers’ Institute of Australasia from 1955 to 1961, the year he was honoured as a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
After retiring from banking, Hugh embarked on a second career, contributing his expertise to various boards and committees. His involvement spanned many organizations, including the Royal Melbourne and Freemasons Hospitals, the Salvation Army, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. He was also the honorary treasurer of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and a founding Trustee of the William Buckland Foundation, which inspired his own philanthropic vision.
Known as a “man of the people,” Hugh was deeply interested in the lives of those around him, particularly those who thrived despite adversity. He was admired for his hard work, practical wisdom, disdain for waste, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Victoria, especially Ballarat.
Hugh Williamson passed away in 1985, but his legacy lives on through the Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation, established in 1986 with an initial corpus of over $4 million. He appointed Denis Tricks AM, Martin Carlson OAM, Malcolm Menelaus, Harry Carrodus, and a representative of ANZ Executors and Trustee Company Limited as founding Trustees. His only guidance was to ensure that the Foundation’s grants supported initiatives within Victoria, with a particular focus on Ballarat. Under the stewardship of the founding Trustees, the Foundation’s assets grew, enabling wide-ranging support for numerous organizations and projects.
Right: Hugh Williamson House and Wayne Weaire, Ballarat Foundation Board of Directors Chair with Stephen Newton, Chairman of the Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation.
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We work on Wadawurrung land
The Ballarat Foundation acknowledges the Wadawurrung people, the traditional owners of the lands and waterways in our region. We recognise their diversity, resilience, and the ongoing place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold in our communities. We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present, and commit to working together in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and reconciliation.
The Ballarat Foundation is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected and empowered to thrive.