In the heart of UGL’s rail and technology systems team, Julian Williams wears two hats, and both are making tracks toward a better future.
By day, Julian is a UGL delivery manager for rail systems, delivering projects which provide safer, more reliable services, new platforms, modernised signalling, and stronger connections for communities wherever projects take him in Australia.
But when the high-vis comes off, Julian steps into another leadership role, as Chair of the Stroke Association of Victoria. It’s here that his passion for connection takes on a deeper meaning.
“In the Bass Coast region, many stroke survivors complete hospital rehab and can be left to feel adrift,” Julian said during a recent conversation. “We’re working to fill that gap — with a dedicated stroke recovery centre which offers not just care, but connection.”
The new centre, currently in development, will offer cooking classes, cognitive exercises, peer support groups, and talks by guest speakers, all tailored to help survivors navigate life after suffering from a stroke. “Sometimes it’s as practical as learning to cook again,” Julian explained. “Not everyone has someone at home to help, so these classes rebuild confidence and independence.”
But the heart of the initiative is emotional healing.
“The physical side of recovery gets attention, but it’s the emotional and mental health piece where people often feel forgotten," says Julian. “Isolation can be overwhelming. That’s why our peer network matters because knowing you’re not alone changes everything.”
Having previously worked on UGL’s Gippsland Line Upgrade project, Julian has a connection with both the region and UGL’s involvement in the project. It is a project spanning over 100 kilometres from Pakenham to Traralgon. The upgrade is a powerhouse of regional renewal — safer, more reliable services, new platforms, modernised signalling, and stronger connections for communities across the state.
The same spirit that drives the Gippsland Line Upgrade — connecting people and revitalising communities — is mirrored in Julian’s vision for the stroke recovery centre. Whether improving railways across Victoria or building new pathways for stroke survivors, his mission is clear: to create spaces where people feel supported, empowered, and never left behind.