William first became involved in Rotary when his daughter Karen was selected for a Rotary Youth Exchange to Canada. It was through the urging of Bruce Gruber he realised that he too could serve the community through Rotary. On 5 July 1995, 13 years ago, William was inducted into Rotary.

During William’s year as president of the club in 1998-99 he instigated the plastic duck race held on Australia Day. This has continued to be a highlight of the Australia Day Celebrations ever since. The Superb Parrot nesting boxes were placed during William’s year as president.

He was a great supporter of the sheep manure (baa poo) bagging, for sale in Canberra. It was in his year as president that a printed recyclable bag was developed to market The Product.

William’s support for the Rugby Community has continued from when he first joined the Rugby Bush Fire Brigade. He followed his late father as brigade captain in 1985, a position he still holds. William has organised and conducted the ANZAC Day Dawn service at Rugby for the past 15 years. This event is growing in popularity each year.

William has been a trustee of the Rugby Hall for 25 years. Students at the Rugby Primary School have enjoyed playing on equipment which William constructed. His ability as an engineer was displayed on national television with his Kelly Built pipe bender. William won ‘Inventor of the Week’ in the 1979 series, and during the finals went on to come third overall.

The workshop and cattle yard complex on Lugarno are testament to William’s skills. William is a proud father of four children and has been married to Margaret for 35 years.

Past District Governor Bruce Gruber presented William with his Paul Harris Fellowship Award at the dinner.