Bill Quinlan on playing the right cards

My dad William was a ganger on the railways, which meant he helped repair the train lines.

My parents had to decide between Koroit or Kyneton after we lived at Murtoa. They decided on Koroit.

I think the reason my parents decided on Koroit was because of my dad's Irish upbringing.

We lived in a railway house in Bourke Avenue.

I would say the best thing about my school days in Koroit was I met my future wife Elizabeth (McDonald) there. We've been married since 1960 and she's been the backbone of the family.

I was over 15 years old when I left school.

My first job was at the Koroit Post Office. I would sort out the mail and on some days I would deliver it around town.

The other part of my job at the post office related to the old telephone exchange. I worked at the telephone exchange for three years. I would clock on for work at 10pm at night. There used to be a roll-out bed at the exchange. We had 100 subscribers. There were some nights I was really busy at the exchange.

I'll never forget Herb O'Toole senior used to phone call in at 5am each morning and ask what the potato prices were.

There's countless stories I could tell you about working on the telephone exchange, but it's best I don't talk about them.

Who did you work for after the Koroit Post Office?

I worked for the Grassmere Butter Factory, which ended up being Murray-Goulburn Koroit and today it's Bega.

I was 20 years old and got a job with the Warrnambool District Herd Testing Company as a herd tester.

I worked there for a couple of years before I worked with the Allansford and District Artificial Breeders Co-Op back in 1960 as an AI technician. I helped set the business up I would visit 32 farmers across the district each month.

Little did I realise that over the next 40 years I would fill various roles at the Co-Op and end up being the CEO for the business until I retired in 2000.

The Warrnambool Co-Op closed its doors in late 2007, much to the disappointment of lots of people across the local region. Could you put a figure on the amount of people the Co-Op employed over the years?

I couldn't give an exact amount, but it would have been a lot of people. There were full-time staff, part-time staff and casuals.

The Co-Op gave so many school children part-time work over the years. It gave them a start in work.

The business was like a big family and was there for the community. It was a very sad day when the business closed its doors for the last time. There's going to be a reunion of all staff out at Raffertys Hotel on March 28. It's going to be great to catch up with everyone.

Bill, you also were a Warrnambool City councillor. How many years did you fill that role?

I was a councillor for six years. It's disappointing to hear about all the problems down at the WCC now.

In my days, the council worked together.

We listened to the community and were a "can-do council".

We were involved with lots of developments around the town including the building of the Hopkins Road bridge and the sports stadium at Caramut Road.

I just hope the problems that have occurred at the council can be rectified in a hurry.

The council needs the confidence of the local community, but sadly that's not there at this stage.

Bill, you've put a lot back into the local community. How many committees have you served on over the years?

It would be 13 committees and I've enjoyed my time on them all.

I've been on the Warrnambool Central Rotary Club for 32 years.

The club has done some marvellous projects over that time, whether that be locally or overseas.

Warrnambool and district is very lucky to have great service clubs who have built our communities.

I note your sporting highlight relates to footy. What can you tell me about your career?

I started out playing with Koroit in the old Western District Football League competition.

We played against sides like Coleraine, Casterton, Hamilton and Portland.

They used to be funny trips home after games up at Coleraine and Casterton.

I'm a non-drinker and here I was with all these blokes and all they wanted to do was drink grog after a game of footy.

I played for Koroit's under 21 Sunday side which won the flag, and in the end I played more than 100 games for the club. Jack Keane was our coach and we defeated Kirkstall to win the premiership. I moved into Warrnambool for work reasons and I played for Russells Creek.

I was lucky enough to win a best and fairest for the club.

Did you play any other sports?

I played tennis at the indoor centre and at Bromfield Street for years, but I also love playing cards. I started playing cards out at Koroit at a young age against blokes like Pat Sharkey, Jack Murrihy, Pat Lenehan, Roy Chow and Paddy Scott on Sunday afternoons.

For years we played cards on a Thursday afternoon at my brother Terry's place in Koroit up until he passed away. Now there's a group of us including Brian Thompson, Gerard McDonald, Noreen, Margaret, Elizabeth and myself who play six-hand euchre a few times a week. I've found playing cards is great for the mind.