Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to and say farewell to Mr Bill Roberts who passed away aged 92 on Sunday night. Bill Roberts was chairman and mayor of the Murgon shire for 28 years and earned an OBE for his service to local government. He's better known as 'Mr Murgon', renowned for his dedicated service to the community. Bill was a member of Apex and Rotary, a member and chairman of the Murgon ambulance and fire brigade boards and a member of Fraser Coast Tourism Board and Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee and many other groups.

Bill started his tax agency in 1967 and retired when he turned 90. He had his finger firmly on the pulse locally and at a state and federal level, reporting his observations and insights in his regular 'Hub Rattles' column in the South Burnett Times for an incredible 58 years, perhaps the longest-running column in the world. I knew Bill only briefly, first meeting him at the Murgon Castra Aged Care Centre, and I saw him at the Murgon's Country Music Festival not so long ago. I always appreciated his reliable and sage advice. His legacy will live on in his local community. I convey my condolences to his wife, Mary, and his children, Scott, Kay and Swain.