Retired teacher and Yugambah elder Uncle Ted Williams is being showcased as a Logan Legend as part of a Logan City Council campaign positioning the city as a multicultural community full of innovation and opportunity.
Uncle Ted Williams has spent 40 years shaping young minds, sharing culture and quietly building a legacy rooted in respect, education and community.
The Beenleigh local has enjoyed a career spanning preschool to university, with a special focus on upper primary and Indigenous studies.
Uncle Ted said teaching was always more than just academic content.
“I liked having a class come to me in January and leave in December better than when they arrived: socially, cognitively, and hopefully as better readers,” he said.
“I’m not looking to be a leader. I just want to be useful. If my skills can help, I’m happy to contribute.
“I hope the children I’ve taught and are reasonable members of society. That’s enough for me.”
Uncle Ted moved from Brisbane to Logan in the 1970s.
“Over the past 50 years I’ve grown to love the place not just for its location, but for its multicultural nature. Logan is a microcosm of Australia,” he said.
But his connection to the city runs deeper than geography.
His grandfather’s grandfather, Bilan, was a Gugingin man who lived in the Logan and Albert valleys and worked closely with Pastor Haussmann during the establishment of the Eagleby mission in the 1860s.
“It’s important to me that Bilin’s contributions are recognised, as well as the fact that the Logan area has been inhabited by people for tens of thousands of years,” he said.
Uncle Ted’s connection was honoured on the world stage when he was invited to speak at Buckingham Palace during the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“It was good to see that organisers wanted a serious Aboriginal connection,” he said.
“I was proud to speak and represent our people.”
Looking ahead to the 2032 Olympics, Uncle Ted hopes First Nations people will be given due recognition and respect.
“I would like people to understand they’re travelling through ancient lands,” he said.
“Logan’s multicultural community is perfectly placed to benefit from the Games. I’m very confident that every visiting team will find a connected community within the city.”
“Logan has so much to offer. It’s easy to pass through and not see it, but if you look, you’ll find beauty, diversity and harmony.”
