Bill Donaldson finds it hard to talk about himself, preferring to just get on with things. According to the octogenarian, his humility has never failed him, leading him to take up opportunities presented to him and helping him keep his feet planted firmly on the ground despite the honours that have been bestowed on him.
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Griffith's volunteers are the beating heart of community growth and service and The Area News wishes to help celebrate their contributions to the town and its history.
What began as volunteering with the Griffith branch in working bees and local building and community projects in 1979, lead Mr Donaldson to get involved with massive humanitarian construction projects overseas over the course of 18 years.
Mr Donaldson, son of a Scottish migrant, has had a hand in building and maintaining what Griffith locals now enjoy as attractions and important infrastructure. Working parties to upgrade the grounds next to Hermit's Cave and restore buildings at Pioneer Park are just some of the many projects he has contributed his physical labour.
"This was in the day when it was all physical work when you volunteered," Mr Donaldson who is a builder by trade and whose passion is wood turning said.
But it was in the early 1980's, after he had served as Griffith club president and then went on to district level, which then lead him to become heavily involved in Rotary International.
His first international experience was to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea which saw him contributing six weeks of back-breaking labour to build a two-story boarding school. Despite the humidity, logistical issues and hard physical work, Mr Donaldson fell in love with helping the local communities, so much so that he dedicated six weeks every year for the next 18 years with Rotary International aid trips.
However, it was after Mr Donaldson retired from international travel with Rotary that he made arguably his biggest contribution.
One of Rotary International's biggest projects in the early 1990's was to build a hospital on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. Mr Donaldson was instrumental in sourcing furniture, beds, x-ray machines and other medical equipment for the hospital, a process that involved him having to coordinate 700 volunteers across Australia and Papua New Guinea.
For his efforts he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the government of Papua New Guinea in 1993 and in 2003 he was awarded the highest Rotary award, the 'Service of Self Award' from the Rotary World President.
Mr Donaldson, who is now 84 years old and is still a member of Griffith Rotary to this day, says that for him it has been humbling being given the opportunities to do what he has done over the years.
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Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
