Keith Williams (developer)

{{POV|date=February 2024}}{{Short description|Australian entrepreneur}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

File:Hamilton Island, Queensland.jpg

File:Sea world australia.jpg

Keith Williams, {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|CMG}} (22 September 1929 – 19 October 2011) was an Australian entrepreneur who developed some of the best known attractions in Queensland, including Sea World, Hamilton Island and Port Hinchinbrook.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/gold-coast-theme-park-developer-dead/3579052|title=Sea World founder Keith Williams dead|date=2011-10-19|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-04-04}}

Williams was a self-made multimillionaire who began his career in the 1960s with the creation of a water skiing park in Surfers Paradise. This was followed by a raceway, Sea World, and Hamilton Island, Daydream Island{{Cite web|date=2012-11-28|title=Daydream Goes on the Market|url=https://www.accomnews.com.au/2012/11/daydream-goes-on-the-market/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=AccomNews|language=en-AU}} and Port Hinchinbrook in the Whitsunday Islands.{{Cite news|title=Memorial farewells developer Williams|last=Maddison|first=Melissa.|date=4 November 2011|work=ABC Premium News}}

Williams earned a reputation as both a visionary and a pioneer,{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Jessica |title=Tributes flow for visionary developer. |work=Townsville Bulletin |date=20 October 2011}} and as the bane of environmentalists.

He was born in Brisbane on 22 September 1929. He left school aged 13 and by aged 16 had started his first business. By 19, he was making products licensed by Walt Disney in a self-built factory at Bulimba with 50 employees.{{cite news |last1=Carman |first1=Gerry |title=GOD is dead: The man's developments will outlive him. |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax|date=21 October 2011}} By age 30 Williams was an Australian water-skiing champion{{Cite web|date=2016-03-02|title=Keith Williams|url=http://www.goldcoaststories.com.au/keith-williams/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Gold Coast City Libraries|language=en-AU}} and in 1963 married a former TV star and later Miss Gold Coast, Thea Williams.{{Cite news|title=A true businessman who backed himself|last=Donnelly|first=Marea|date=22 October 2011|work=Daily Telegraph, Sydney|page=108}}