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With a media career spanning over 50 years and a passion for helping people, Ramon Williams has an impressive resume.

He’s photographed names from Mother Teresa to Liberace and events including the 1968 Billy Graham Crusade, royal visits, demonstrations and natural disasters. From 1977-1994 Mission Australia, then known as Sydney City Mission, was fortunate to have Ramon voluntarily assist us in documenting our work.

“I was impressed with the variety of helpful projects for young people needing help with a way of life,” Ramon said. “Those referred by the courts were helped to realise they had the potential to live a life that was worthwhile. Others, from areas of poorer economical reputations, were given the help to learn trades through vocational training. The homeless were provided with accommodation and medical assistance.”

An avid photographer in his teenage years, Ramon felt it was time to put his hobby aside at age 22 as it was taking too much of his focus. But while serving as a missionary in Indonesia the opportunity came up to combine his faith and passion for photography to help others.

In November of 1967, he picked the camera back up and brought his family – his wife Dorothy, son and five daughters – including new-born triplets – back to Australia.

Since then, Ramon has used his skills to help organisations like Mission Australia promote their work to the media. Now 87, Ramon only just retired in February of this year. He has 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Always happy to help, Ramon recently volunteered many hours converting over 3,500 slides into a digital archive of memorable photos that provide a glimpse into another era of Mission Australia. We’re so grateful for Ramon’s efforts!


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Our founding purpose - 'Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God'