At the heart of RM Williams' iconic Australian workshops, something more valuable than leather is being crafted - generational bonds that form the very soul of this beloved brand.
Family Ties Run Deeper Than Leather
The Salisbury workshop hums with more than just machinery - it resonates with the sound of family connections that span decades. Multiple sets of parents, children, spouses, in-laws and siblings work side-by-side, dedicated to creating the leather goods and clothing first enjoyed by generations of Australians and now celebrated worldwide.
Footwear training and quality co-ordinator Glenn Dezen, who started at RM Williams in 1993, perfectly embodies this family spirit. His daughter Steph Dearden joined him six years ago, continuing a tradition that feels as natural as the leather they work with.
"RMs is a family and a lot of families work here. It is the heart of what we are," Glenn explained, reflecting on how the company has maintained its family business ethos since founder Reginald Murray Williams established it with his sons.
Generations of Craftsmanship
For Steph Dearden, RM Williams has been part of her life since birth. "All I've ever known is RM Williams. Dad started here the year that I was born," said the skilled craftsperson, who now creates the brand's distinctive crocodile leather and combined leather belts.
Recalling childhood visits to see her father at work, Ms Dearden described how those early experiences shaped her career path. "I'm a bit of a craftie, much like my father," she shared, expressing hopes that her own three-year-old daughter might one day continue the family tradition.
The family connections extend beyond blood relations, with employees describing their co-workers as chosen family. "Having actual family working with me is great, but building that family feeling with other employees is also good," Ms Dearden noted.
A Legacy That Spans Generations
Boot repairs 2IC Adam Hemer works alongside his two brothers-in-law at the Salisbury workshop, where children's drawings from employees' families decorate the factory walls. This tangible evidence of family presence reinforces the company's core values.
"A small family started this company and there's still family throughout this entire place," Mr Hemer observed. "Even with how we have grown, the family aspect is still there."
This sense of belonging fuels his dedication to the company's future. "I've got my own family here and it gives me the feeling I want to help the place continue in the future," he said, emphasizing his commitment to training others to love the company as he does.
Boots craftsman Steven Quirk captured the enduring spirit of the workshop, noting that while founder Reginald Murray Williams may no longer be with them, his spirit remains well-ingrained in the RM family.
"It is our heritage and it's our rich Australian history," Mr Quirk stated, speaking for the many employees united by their desire to continue the legacy that began with one man's vision and has grown into a national treasure.
As these families continue to work together, stitching, crafting and building upon nearly a century of tradition, they're creating more than just quality leather goods - they're weaving the very fabric of Australian cultural heritage.
