Family of 8 boys, 5 girls. Six of Bill’s boys competed competitively at one time. On leaving school he sought a position working in the bush, this was on Bill’s terms, as the deal was to get a Kelly axe this was handed to him in due course and so begun his first job.
He was detailed to cut through a 5 foot blue gum.
Bill maintains that this was where he really learned to chop underhand the right way and it was good training.
He started competitively in the early 1950,s His favourite venue was Bushy Park Show and Port Arthur.
Bill explains that it was not always possible to follow every carnival in those days, as there were children to look after.
Bill’s first significant win was at Huon Apple Festival, winning the 12-inch underhand cutting time of 20 seconds and cutting second in the 12-inch standing log.
Another one of Bill’s memorable moments was at Richmond where he took out the 15 inch underhand in the time of 51 seconds from a very strong field; the weather on the day was around 100 deg.
Bill’s most memorable feat was winning the golden year’s event at Dover for three consecutive years as this was a perpetual trophy. Another one of his achievements was cutting fifth in the Tasmanian Thousand at Geeveston in 1976 and also at Zeehan in 1980. In all, Bill competed for 51 years and still has a strong interest, as he still has sons and grandsons competing competitively.