Page 28 - The Outdoor Showman January-March 2021

Into the Sunset
William John McDonald ‘Billy Mac’ 27/12/1941 – 27/01/2021
‘The Old Master Showman’
Bill was a true, old time Showman. From back in the days of travelling
by the Show Train, dirt tracks, camp fires and working hard for every little thing they had, selling their fairy floss, waffles, toffee apples, operating rides and spruiking their joints right through to the ever changing ways of today with his beloved canteens he built, selling the best floss and donuts on the showgrounds.
Bill was born into the show industry
to parents Bill and Mary McDonald,
in Wollongong N.S.W. 1941. He was
a little brother for Bobby (deceased) and Mary, who were somewhat older, so Bill grew up not only with amazing parents but also under the brilliant guidance of big brother Bob, and motherly ways of big sister Mary. Then shortly after was joined by twin sisters Jill and Joy. These 3, so close in age, done most things together as children, with Joy being the more placid one and Jill the feistier one, always fighting with
little Bill, giving him a sparring partner. well beyond what any man should.
Bill was a bit of a ladies’ man I think but in 1963, met his one true love, Carol, who stole his heart. She was employed as a young girl to work at Cocklebiddy, and so began their large family. He was the most amazing husband to the love of his life Carol. Doting father to his son, Willie and four daughters, Penny, Karen, Lisa and Pam. Ever so proud ‘POP’ to all
10 of his grandchildren, adoring great grand poppy to 15 and welcomed all partners to the family over the years. (even if he thought you were a ‘dopey bastard’) He loved each and every
one of us and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to help us throughout our lives.
Bill had an extraordinary life, a lifetime of 79 years on showgrounds Australia wide. Guild member of the W.A.S.A. since 1957, Australasian Showmen’s Association plus numerous Royal Agricultural Societies. He also spent a lot of his life from a young age droving in the Kimberley’s and owning Stations whilst still working the Shows.
From his time at Cocklebiddy in the 50’s he helped with so many fatalities on the Nullabor, and saw many a thing
Two of those stories in particular always stick in my mind and just
by watching the expression on his face and seeing the tears well in his eyes, as he re-told these stories, you could tell he was right back there in the moment and it always broke his heart....But we’ll share those stories another time.
He was always the character and quick with the joke’s, there was nothing in life that got him down
and no one could tell a story quite like him. He always went above and beyond to help his fellow man, there wouldn’t be a single person he has not helped in one way or another over the years. He doted on his family and was a father figure to all of his grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews.
The strongest man with the most gentle soul. Never a man to let anything get the better of him. He was the backbone of our family and to lose him has shattered all of our hearts. He’ll be sitting on his crate in heaven above, with smokes in pocket and a can in his hand saying “I’m just going to have a spell for a bit love”.
Ronald Phease 17/03/1951 – 02/03/2021
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