RM Williams

The R.M.Williams Company was founded and established in 1932 by Australian legend, Reginald Murray RM Williams AO, CMG. In the early 1930s, It was at this time that RM met a thin, wiry and colourful character by the name of Dollar Mick. RM was camped out in South Australia’s Gammon Ranges where he was barely making a living for his young family, sinking wells and doing odd jobs on surrounding stations. His fortunes turned when Dollar Mick arrived at his campsite, driving a dilapidated buggy drawn by two mules. There was an age gap of almost 30 years between the two men but they built up an incredible rapport.

Over the following months, Michael George Smith (Dollar Mick) passed on his vast knowledge of leather work and craft to RM, teaching him the secrets of bush saddlery and stockmen’s accessories, still prized today. After much trial and error under the watchful eye of Dollar Mick, RM fashioned his first pair of boots which he sold to a man from Hiltaba Station. RM later said that this defining experience with Dollar Mick marked the true beginning of his life’s work.

With boots sales to this first unknown buyer and cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, RM set up the beginnings of his first factory in an iron woolshed behind his father’s house at 5 Percy St, Prospect. With no capital and little help, he built up a team of dedicated craftsmen and took out advertisements in the rural press that asked customers for cash with their orders, his mail order boot service and an iconic Australian company were born. Over the following decades, RM developed his business, diversifying into bush saddlery and equipment and the company’s trademark moleskins, jeans and bush shirts.

Today, R.M.Williams exports to 15 countries, has more than 50 retail stores in Australia and a store in London. In addition, R.M.Williams is available at more than 900 stockists around the globe and has retail space in numerous Myer department stores across Australia.