THEA REMEMBERS LIFE WITH KEITH
THEA Williams has lived a fascinating life.
From meeting and being married to water ski champion, pioneer, developer and founder of Sea World, Keith Williams for close to 50 years, Mrs Williams is a Gold Coast personality in her own right.
After winning Miss Gold Coast in 1961, Mrs Williams scored a job one night a week on the television show In Brisbane Tonight, before being offered presenter roles and becoming a jill of all trades at the Nine Network.
The accomplished water skier was also one of the original iconic Aquamaids who performed at Sea World after being taught to ski by husband Keith.
Mrs Williams recently travelled to the Paladium at Melbourne Casino to receive Mr Williams’ Induction Award into the Australian Water Ski and Wakeboard Hall of Fame in front of 500 guests.
“He asked me after we first met if I was interested in learning how to water ski, so I said yes and he taught me how to ski on the Nerang River,” Mrs Williams remembered.
“He even managed to get the water ski championships to be held on the Nerang River of all places in 1965 which I think was one of his greatest achievements.”
She said she could not be more proud to accept the award on her husband’s behalf.
“From the moment I met him, I knew he was something special,” she said.
“I wish he could have been here naturally to accept the award, but I was very proud to be able to be there.
“I’ve loved every minute of my life. I owe all of this fabulous life to my husband who was such a wonderful man.”
Mr and Mrs Williams had two children together, Rebecca and Ben.
Keith Williams passed away in 2011 and has been remembered as a pioneer in the development of tourism infrastructure which brought significant benefit to Queensland and Australia.
Williams established Sea World in 1971, Hamilton Island Resort in 1982 and a residential resort at Port Hinchinbrook.
Williams moved his first development, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens on the Nerang River, to Sea World’s Waterski Wipeout after it opened in 1971.
HE ASKED ME AFTER WE FIRST MET IF I WAS INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW TO WATER SKI, SO I SAID YES AND HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO SKI ON THE NERANG RIVER
THEA WILLIAMS