Bill Ruxton
just to see it again , or flying through a rainbow and realising it ’ s a perfect circle .”
Over the years , Bill logged thousands of flight hours , even using his piloting skills to fly to a Scout Jamboree in Brisbane .
Bill wasn ’ t a Scout as a youngster , but when his son asked to join , he decided to join as a leader and went through the training . When his son left scouting , Bill stayed on , enjoying the outdoor life and mentoring the young people who he encountered as a Scout leader .
When his daughter expressed interest in the Guides but preferred the adventurous spirit of Scouts , Bill supported her and took her into his own pack to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle with him . His dedication to the Scouting community is shown in his years of service to them , with him clocking up 52 years as a Scout leader .
“ Young men and women learning together builds fantastic social skills ,” he notes . “ I stayed a line leader because I wanted to be with the kids rather than progress up the ladder and do administration , I was just a big boy scout myself . I ’ ve been to over 1,600 scout camps ,” he says proudly .
“ One of the best parts was watching young kids grow into capable , confident adults .”
Today Bill might not be flying planes or going on scout jamborees , but his passion for model building is still strong . His room at Toongabbie Terrace Community Care looks like a miniature toy factory , filled with 120 meticulously crafted aircraft , 50 model houses , and charming scenes of miniature life . “ Everything is made from recycled materials ,” Bill says . “ Cereal boxes , medicine cartons , teabag wrappers — you name it , I reuse it .” The curtains in his model caravans are strips of lace from discount stores , while plastic flowers from dollar shops add vibrant , realistic touches .
For Bill , model-making isn ’ t just a hobby ; it ’ s a form of storytelling , keeping him busy with trips to the library so he can research the types of buildings he is interested in to ensure they are as historically accurate as possible .
“ If someone asks for a model of their house , I check out the floor plan , then build a scaled-down version so they can envision the space ,” he explains .
His creations aren ’ t limited to friends , neighbours , staff and students who tour the retirement village often receive a custom miniature gift .
“ I love seeing their faces light up when they get a tiny house or caravan ,” he says .
Bill ’ s curiosity extends beyond architecture and aviation . He ’ s an avid genealogist , tracing his lineage through Irish and Scottish ancestry .
“ The Mormon Church has a fantastic genealogy resource ,” he shares . “ I found out one of my ancestors was a past mayor of Dublin !”
This endless curiosity keeps Bill engaged and excited about life .
“ Get off your bum and stop thinking you ’ re here to die ,” he advises . “ Stay curious , stay active .”
Today , Bill is a beloved figure at Toongabbie Terrace Community Care . Staff members proudly introduce him to visitors , and his infectious enthusiasm leaves a lasting impression .
“ When I orient new staff or students , Bill is always the first stop ,” Cathy , a staff member shares . “ He ’ s so generous with his time and talents .”
This super senior ’ s story is a testament to a life well-lived : one defined by service , creativity , and an unwavering zest for life . He actively encourages others in the retirement village to do something that sparks their interest , saying that it helps to keep his mind and fingers nimble and allows him to enjoy living an interesting life so that he can enjoy talking to people and have plenty to chat about .
I asked him what was next on his list of things to do , and he told me he had
Bill keeps busy by building scale models of houses and castles .
written a book about model making and had a proof copy made . I think it ’ s safe to say that Bill isn ’ t about to stop doing new things yet , and I expect him to get his book ready to publish and out in the model making community .
The last thought that Bill left me with sums this inspiring man to a tee .
“ Life ’ s been a grand adventure ,” Bill says with a smile .
“ I ’ ve loved every minute of it .”
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 47 // MARCH 2025 7