Bill Byrnes has been in the Inverell branch of the St John Ambulance Service since it was formed in 1994 and after 22 years of dedicated first aid service to the Inverell community he is retiring to spend more time with his family.

As a St John Ambulance officer Bill has been to his fair share of events including the Blues and Roots and Splendour in the Grass music festivals in Byron Bay, to campdrafts 200kms west of Inverell and many sporting and community events in the town.

Bill remembers one eye-opening experience was the Cyber Tribal festival in Tenterfeild.

“There were three of us working and we saw 112 casualties over the weekend, and that was certainly an eye-opener, but mostly I enjoyed meeting different people and going to different events.”

Bill is a butcher by trade and said his time spent with St John Ambulance kept him very busy.

“I have been lucky to have a very understanding family and wife, she sometimes had to make an appointment with me to see me!

“Still, I have four grandchildren and have decided to retire from the service to spend more time with them.

“It has been pleasing to do and you certainly get a lot out of being a member, it makes it even easier if you have a lot of members in the division.”

The Inverell division of St John Ambulance meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the New England Community Care Services building and all that is needed to join is a senior first aid certificate.

“I really have enjoyed these 15 years with the service, and I will be staying on as an affiliate member and treasurer.”

Bill was honoured at a ceremony by Inverell Shire Council for his work with first aid for 22 years.

Before joining the St John Ambulance Service Bill was a strapper at local football games and was also first aid officer at the abattoirs for five years.