Yarrawonga Chronicle

It’s now Bill Church OAM

BY ROBERT MUIR

But there is so much more to say about Bill Church, who is to receive an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community of Yarrawonga Mulwala, as named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“I think it’s wonderful – I’m overwhelmed – but look, there are a lot of people more deserving of this award than me,” the modest, 91-year-old recipient told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

Born on March 15, 1930 in Katamatite’s once bush nursing hospital, a young Bill Church grew up on the family’s farm, working with horses and helping dad. He left school at Youarang at aged 13-years and eventually took over the farm when his dad turned 90-years-of-age.

During his farming days, Bill was elected to Tungamah Shire Council, his local government spanning 14 years including a term of 18 months, as the last shire president, prior to formation of Moira Shire Council in 1994.

He enjoyed serving the Tungamah Shire, “being able to help people and doing something needed in the community”.

“There was a lot of satisfaction helping people. A lot needed doing in those days, the roads being made better and as one of the instigators of the Muckatah drainage system. We worked on it for ten years before it was underway,” Bill said.

Meanwhile on the farm, he “loved welding”, adding: “I made half of the machinery I used on the farm, fixing and making machinery were great passions and a lot of satisfaction.”

In 1990, the Church family moved to Yarrawonga, became members of Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society and the pioneer museum opened in 1994.

The favourite pastime of Yarrawonga resident William (Bill) Church has been “farming and making things for the farm”, which eventually led to an enormous involvement with the Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society.

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2021-06-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

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