William’s wish was to receive his Order of Australia Medal at home in front of his family and friends.

William Smith, better known as Bill, is one of a few rare individuals in life for whom supporting his community, helping others and being a wonderful human being is just who he is.

Indeed, the 90-year-old has spent decades of his life working in the community for organisations such as Vision Australia, Rostrum Australia, Queensland Taxi Bowls Club and the Queensland White Cane Committee so much so that Bill was to be recognised for his work with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

But when we heard Bill was unable to attend his investiture ceremony at Government House due to ill health, where he would be recognised by Queensland Governor and Patron of Palliative Care Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, our Ambulance Wish team and St Vincent’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Service sprang into action.

On Wednesday, it was our honour and privilege to have been part of a very special Wish for Bill, where surrounded by his loved ones, wife Genny, sons Ken and Don, and Daughters Tricia, Gen, and Mary, a special investiture ceremony was held at his home.

With the Governor in attendance to deliver a formal address and award Bill his OAM, the special occasion was held with formality associated with a Government House Investiture Ceremony. As ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was sung and Bill was recognised for all that he has done throughout his life for the betterment and support of his community, there was a beautiful sense of togetherness, love and pride as memories were made for a great man who has always thought of others and put community spirit at the heart of all he has done.

Mr William Smith OAM, on behalf of everyone from Ambulance Wish Queensland, we thank you for your service, your peerless dedication to Queensland and for being the embodiment of the values of community, selflessness and mateship that are central to our way of life.

Thank you to our wonderful wish team Angela and Esther for being a part of this wish and Ange Costes Photography for creating memories forever for Bills’ loved ones.

Thank you to our service partner St Vincent’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Service and Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Patron of Palliative Care Queensland for their support on this special occasion.

Ambulance Wish Queensland is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, and we thank the staff and volunteers at both Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service who help our Ambulance Wish Queensland team to fulfil wishes and create memories forever.

We would also like to thank our SEQ Hub Local Supporting partner Mingary Care and GQS for their support of Ambulance Wish Queensland’s South-East Queensland