Interview by Lesley Alves - 13 December 2000

Bill was born in 1926 in Nhill, where his father was a doctor. He was educated at Geelong Grammar, before entering the Creswick School of Forestry in 1946. He commenced his career at Daylesford in 1949. Other postings were to Woodend, Matlock and Forrest, where he became District Forester. Bill married Joan in 1954.

In 1959 Bill was appointed District Forester at Dimboola, where his duties included running the Wail Nursery and forestry extension work. After 17 years at Wail, Bill moved to the Horsham office, where he continued with his advisory and extension work for eight years. With a lifelong interest in nature and conservation, Bill became involved in the Little Desert controversy in the 1960s, and in the Potter Farmland Plan. On retirement Bill continued to work in the interests of nature conservation, and he received the OAM in 1999.

One of Bill's enduring legacies is the road reserve that bears his name adjacent to the Five Chain Road west of the Dimboola-Rainbow Road about 8 kilometres north of Dimboola. As stated on the sign "Bill recorded more than 100 bird species using this roadway from the 1970s and was able to demonstrate the real value of roadside vegetation."

Bill Middleton - Album (Alves)

01 Bill Middleton - Alves

02 Bill Middleton - Alves

03 Bill Middleton - Alves

04 Bill Middleton - Alves

Website - victoriasforestryheritage.org.au

Bill Middleton - Album (Alves)

Victoria's Forestry Heritage