IF YOU NEEDED HELP OUT OF TROUBLE… BILL WAS YOUR MAN
Written by Ken Brown
If you were ever in some sort of trouble, needed a tyre changed, involved in a motor vehicle accident, a bush fire or needed to traverse the Flooded Condamine River – then Bill Power was your man. This bloke wore many hats in a very appreciative little community on the banks of the mighty Condamine River.

Bill Power from Condamine! Everyone knew Bill. The sort of bloke that would give you the shirt off his back and ask for nothing in return. This modern-day hero (and we don’t use the term loosely) would be embarrassed to think that his mates would be writing and talking about him in this way. But it is a story that must be told about a bloke who was a friend to many, enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and didn’t mind the odd Bundy Rum and Benson and Hedges to unwind after a hard day’s work. By his own admission he was probably a rough diamond, but we all knew him as a no-nonsense fella with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold.

Bill was born in Roma on 19th March 1951 and came to the Miles/Condamine area around 1965 and established himself as a good community man that people could rely on. At 14 Bill ventured into his lifetime career fitting tyres at National Tyre Service. Bill worked hard most of his life and this didn’t go unnoticed as Neville Beeton approached him in 1973 with the view to establishing the Condamine Tyre Service. A business partnership that flourished for many years until Bill’s retirement after 35 years in 2008.
Condamine locals referred to Bill as “Billy Dunlop”. Condamine Tyre Service supported and sponsored many organisations and events around the district, but the one big event held each year was the Annual Condamine Tyre Service Christmas Party. Neville, Bill and their wives hosted these parties for many years with a couple of hundred people attending. Everyone was looked after and never went home disappointed.

Bill met Glenda Bruggeman in Miles in the Autumn of 1968 while he was working at Dunlop Tyre Service and Glenda at Carey Ford. A courtship developed and the two love birds were married in Chinchilla on the 29th of November 1969. Bill and Glenda had 2 daughters, who in turn presented them with 4 Grandchildren.
Bill was SES Controller in Condamine for many years. Picking up many awards along the way. He was also heavily involved with the Rural Fire Brigade, was Chief cook on the BBQ at the Condamine Rodeo and was even a Director of the Inaugural Condamine Theatre Restaurant held in the Condamine Hall in 1987. On Australia Day 2001 Bill received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Murilla Shire Council. Another award for the efforts of this great community minded man.



During his retirement Bill loved nothing more than to support his beloved Miles Devils Rugby League team, watching on as Grandson Josh was part of the A Grade team to win the 2013 Premiership, at times reminding the referees about the rules of the game and how they could do their job better.
After a short illness Bill Power passed away on the 30th of March 2017 at the Miles Hospital. Bill’s Family and many friends congregated in the Miles Shire Hall to farewell a man of great integrity and a fine example of how much the community valued this special person.
There is an old Chinese Proverb that epitomises Bill Power that says:
“If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”

