Getting to know Bill

Bill left school at age 14 (the norm in those far off days) and commenced work in the Public Service in the Public Works Dept. After two years he was transferred to the Taxation Dept.

At 17 he enlisted in the A.I.F. hoping to go to the Middle East but ended up in New Guinea. Post war he took advantage of the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme and was apprenticed in the Building Industry where he became involved in the building of Federation style residences. Bill was a teacher with TAFE for 27 years, teaching restoration techniques to 18 to 50 year old students including some women, a real first in this field. In this job he was required to travel and visited over 20 countries which has resulted in an interesting and fulfilled life.

Creating new opportunities

Occupational Therapy students from the University of Sydney are doing great community service. Kate, Wiktoria and Sarah are promoting Project Ilypa and Operation Papua New Guinea through a new project called the Schools for Schools Challenge. The Schools for Schools Challenge aims to increase awareness of health and educational inequalities in rural Australia and Papua New Guinea. This project will engage students at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary and will provide exposure and promotion of the work of Rotary. It is wonderful to see and hear these great young people who are contributing so much for the community.

About Bill

Bill tells us he was born at a very early age! but he progressed quickly to his first job with the Permanent Trustee Co. After a year doing a disappearing act each day to the Registrar General's Office he moved to Hoffnungs, a General Wholesaler, eventually becoming their Traveller based in Inverell. Bill must have liked the town as he bought a Hardware Shop and remained there for 6 years. Leaving Inverell, and on a trip to Bathurst, he negotiated a $85,000 selling deal which greatly impressed his friend and relative by marriage, Alan Bridge of Bridge Real Estate, Brookvale.

Alan offered him a job where he stayed for 20 years as a Valuer and eventually the Principal. Bill takes on his health challenges one day at a time and will be celebrating his 80th birthday next Saturday.

100 Shelter Boxes

Last year Roy Sheargold was ‘decorated’ with an addition to his existing Paul Harris award.

Thousands of bed nets to prevent malaria were sent through Roy’s efforts. He received “more than a little help” from club members and his Rotary contacts in Canada. Click the video clip below to see immediate past president Werner Beeh presenting Roy with the award, then Lionel Arnold in the comfort of his home talks about this tremendous project.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Roy this year has obtained the services of General Peter Cosgrove to spearhead a fundraising to buy 100 (that’s the target!) Shelter Boxes.

STOP PRESS! Some shelter boxes have already been sent to aid the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.