Mr Hill had 55 years of fire fighting experience and had only missed one fire brigade meeting since 1981.

He will be sadly missed by his Diamond Swamp colleagues who described him as one of the strongest supporters the brigade has ever had.

Rural Fire Service Superintendent Michael Brooks attended the service at the crematorium along with friends, family and colleagues.

Paying their respects was Michael Azzopardi, Tim Azzopardi, Tod Schmidt, Bill Cordwell, Helen Cordwell, Louise Cordwell, Craig Jeffree, Toni Jeffree, Tanya Orchard, Brian Stewart, Kevin Stewart, Peter Stewart, Tom Rosman, Dennis White, Carolyn Prosser, Madeline Prosser, Stephen Prosser, Gale Prosser, Reg Norford and Johno Frost.