Representatives from Life Education including CEO Jay Bacik along with members of the Parkes Landcare group were on hand to pay tribute to Bill.

Mayor Ken Keith who himself was recently elected to the Board of Life Education Australia, presented Bill with a plaque on behalf of Parkes Shire Council in appreciation of his voluntary work over many years.

Mr Bacik also spoke of Bill’s tireless work with Life Education and presented him a framed certificate and a gold Harold award.

Bill, who is battling cancer, responded by saying he was ‘gobsmacked’

“I didn’t expect anything like this. I may be on the way down at the moment but certainly not out and like Berger paints will continue to keep on keeping on,” he said.

Over the years Bill has been actively involved in a voluntary capacity with a range of organisations including Parkes Life Education committee (secretary), Parkes and Districts Landcare (vice-chair, treasurer, education committee member, media officer and National Tree Day coordinator), Coobang Valley Landcare (assistant secretary), Parkes Neighbourhood Watch (secretary), Coobang Valley Rural Fire Brigade, Parkes Men’s Shed, Masonic Lodge, Try-a Trade participation at both Parkes and Forbes high Schools, WorldSkills (TVET National judge 2010), Dore programme, Parkes High School (volunteer metals aid and consulting on new metals workshop) and Parkes Show Society.

During his acknowledgement of Bill, Life Education (CEO) Jay Bacik produced a copy of this term’s “Life Notes” from the Life Education Australia that features an article on Bill which recognises his voluntary service.

“Bill’s passion and dedication to Life Education has led him to actively fundraise thousands of dollars in the Parkes region over the years as well as take on a major role in the movement of the Mobile Learning Centre in the region,” Mr Bacik said.