Volunteer veteran: The Hills Senior Citizen of the Year Bill Dixon was for 42 years a volunteer fire fighter in the Bushfire Brigade, which is now known as the Rural Fire Service. Picture: Natalie Roberts
BY SALLY WILLOUGHBY
24 Jan, 2012 01:00 AM
BILL Dixon has served his community for more than 40 years.
And he’s not done yet.
The 88-year-old veteran volunteer was recognised for his commitment to the community as The Hills Senior Citizen of the Year last week.
Mr Dixon said he was humbled to receive the award.
“You don’t do this work to be recognised,” he said. “I think that when you’re able to help someone you often get more out of it yourself.”
Mr Dixon was a farmer before he moved from Gilgandra to Cherrybrook.
He then started working five days a week at Meals on Wheels offices and helped take the organisation to a new level by establishing the national Meals on Wheels Association.
“When you’re a farmer, you’re doing something every day,” Mr Dixon said.
“When we moved here, I wanted to continue that in a way that would help others.”
Mr Dixon was a key player in developing the Home and Community Care programs before setting upon what he says is one of his greatest achievements — establishing the Community Foundation of North Western Sydney in 2002.
The foundation provides accommodation, financial help, counselling and a no-interest loan scheme for local people who are disadvantaged or who are isolated or in crisis.
As part of the foundation Mr Dixon recently helped to open an internet cafe for disadvantaged young people to teach isolated adults how to operate computers.
Mr Dixon still volunteers three days a week at the foundation. He has physiotherapy treatment at hospital two days a week.
“I like doing it,” Mr Dixon said of his work. “I have an enormous number of friends and I think it’s good for me.”
The Hills mayor Greg Burnett said the award nominees personified Australian values such as community participation and giving someone a ‘fair go’.
“It is important that these wonderful people who give so tirelessly of their time and energy to our communities are recognised for the great work they do,” Cr Burnett said. “These people haven’t asked for any thanks or recognition and it is with pride that we confer these awards and offer the recipients our congratulations and thanks.”