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grove news
Tributes flow for town character MORE than 250 family and friends packed St Peter’s Anglican Church to farewell one of Ocean Grove’s most colourful characters. Bill Huggins, a navy veteran of 33 years who went on to work for the Port of Melbourne as the head lighthouse keeper at Point Lonsdale Signal Station, passed away on February 13. Many in Ocean Grove would have simply known him as Bill, the sociable, humble and humourous ex-sailor in the faded blue cap. But at the service the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL sub-branch carried out the RSL Ritual and formed a Guard of Honour as he left the church, recognising his outstanding service to country. Bill, who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1969, was an active communitarian. And local community members say he will be fondly missed. Local trader Sandi Ward
had known Bill for close to 20 years. “He was a good all round guy who had a lot of time for everybody. He was knowledgeable with lots of interesting yarns. He was also a good community person with his voluntary work at the RSL and at the Maritime Museum in Queenscliff.” Anyone who had attended the ANZAC services in Ocean Grove over the last decade would have been familiar with Bill and Sandi’s banter. Bill would often break with the formalities to comment on Sandi’s hair colour. Sandi said: “People would go up to him afterwards and say ‘you can’t say that’, but he would say ‘we are mates, I can say that’. “He will certainly be missed,” said Sandi. The funeral service was carried out by former St Peter’s Anglican Church minister, the Rev John Minotti. John, who had known Bill for 16 years, said: “He really was a unique character, one of those ‘living treasures’, he was that sort of bloke. “He was a very generous
TRIBUTE: A Guard of Honour was formed after the service for Bill Huggins. man who gave of himself to help other people. “He was a great story teller. He was just one of those characters who you would stop to chat with on the street and you would go away feeling better as a result.” RSL sub-branch friend Ron Johnson will miss Bill. “Bill and I were great mates, both having a bit of navy service. “Bill was a great man. He did such a lot for people. “He was a great character in this town.” During the service
REMEMBER: Rev John Minotti spoke at the service. on February 21 Bill’s granddaughters Cassie Tobin and Siobhan Kastan read the eulogy and readings were given by other family members. The RSL tribute was given by Graeme Fisher,
vice president and rituals/ services officer of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads subbranch. After the service, those attending were invited to Ocean Grove Bowling Club for refreshments.