Portrait of Philip Williams

During 46 years as a journalist, Philip Williams (b. 1957) covered the world’s biggest news events. He began his career at the ABC in Canberra reporting on the Whitlam dismissal and ended it with the downfall of Donald Trump. Admired for his empathetic style, Williams spent twelve years as the ABC's London Bureau Chief (from 2001–2005 and 2008–2015), where he covered era-defining events including the 9/11 terror attacks in New York, the Iraq War, the Beslan school siege in Russia, the Boxing Day tsunami, and the shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine. On his way to the Tour de France in mid-2011 he was diverted to Norway, where a right-wing extremist had perpetrated a car bomb attack in Oslo and a massacre on Utøya island; he was on the scene following terrorist attacks in London, Spain, Paris and Russia. Appointed Chief Foreign Correspondent in 2016, he reported on the Fiji earthquake, London’s Grenfell Tower fire, the Arab Spring and the subsequent Syrian crisis, and Brexit. Since 1993 Williams and his partner have owned Wallaroo Wines in Hall, building their property into one of the ACT region’s larger suppliers of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling grapes. He retired in 2021 after more than 40 years at the ABC.

Rick Amor created this portrait in 2019 as a personal tribute to his brother-in-law, Williams.

Gift of Rick Amor and Meg Williams in memory of Althea 'Bid' Williams 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Rick Amor/Copyright Agency, 2024