Quiet leading local citizen, Bill Royal, has notched up 70 years  service with the Bairnsdale Fire Brigade. 
The Bairnsdale brigade recognised Bill last Saturday night alongside mayor of the East Gippsland Shire, Cr Mark Reeves, and local MP, Tim Bull, in their addresses.
Bill started as a runner for the fire brigade at the age of 18 back in 1952. He was a champion ladder runner then and won two state championships for Bairnsdale in 1956 and ‘57.
During his time at the brigade, Bill coached the senior running team for 14 years and had a term as brigade captain for six years. 
At 88 years of age, Bill is still as sharp as a tack and reflected with authority on the firemen that guided him in the service to his community - men such Captain Bill Marriott, Freddie Klopper, Harry Walden and Tom Burke, Bill’s first coach at the brigade when he joined in 1952.

IMAGE: Bill Royal (centre) with current Bairnsdale Fire Brigade Captain, Aaron Lee, and Operational Commander at District 11, Miles Malcolm, at the Bairnsdale Fire Brigades annual dinner and presentation evening last Saturday where Bill was presented a 70-year service medal. More photos in next week’s edition.