

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7
Obituary
W
illiam (Bill) Anthony McMahon - 29 January 1947 to 28 September 2025
Bill passed comfortably, surrounded by loved ones, late on 28 September 2025.
The eldest of five children, William Anthony McMahon was born at Bengworden in East Gippsland to teacher Kathleen and farmer William Francis McMahon.
Bill had a respected career in Catholic education as a teacher, principal and administrator - first in Tasmania and then across Gippsland where he raised four sons with wife, Elizabeth. He was known by many for his strong Catholic faith and his unwavering commitment to Catholic education.
Bill made lasting positive impact through his work at the Catholic Education Office in Gippsland - growing and supporting school communities from Orbost to Narre Warren. He was also proud of his efforts to rejuvenate the Hallora Cricket Club, which transformed from a flailing local membership to a thriving club under his careful stewardship. The annual Bill McMahon medal – now in its 13th year – is awarded to team-spirited members. The medal will remain an ongoing legacy of Bill’s work.
Bill remained a community-minded person until the end, serving as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul and Knights of the Southern Cross until his health began to falter. He loved travelling and was blessed to make many pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia – most recently in 2019.
As his care needs increased, Bill became a resident of Lyrebird Village Aged Care Home in Drouin. We are very grateful to the whole staff at Lyrebird for their wonderful care of Bill since 2022, and their ongoing support.
We will all miss him dearly.
Bill's family invites you to share your memories and photos of Bill on this tribute page where you can also leave your condolences. Memorial details and any further updates will also be shared via this site in due course once arranged. Please consider a small donation to support the work of St Vincent de Paul in Bill’s honour.
Bill’s Resting Place
Bill’s ashes have been peacefully interred at Gulwarra Heights Memorial Park, in the Farm Walk area.
This special place feels just right for him - calm, welcoming, and open to all who wish to visit. There is a bench beside his plaque where you’re warmly invited to sit awhile, have a quiet chat, share a memory, or simply enjoy a moment of stillness, just as Bill so often offered his time, his ear, and his steady guidance to so many of us.
All are welcome to visit Bill.
Gallery
Memory wall
Dear Bill,
You were a source of strength for my sister Therese D'Orsa in those days you shared in the Warragul Catholic Education
Office. Your unfailing
good cheer, wisdom
and ability to manage
challenging situations
were like gold. My
sympathy to your
family and a big
thankyou for your life
of dedication and
purpose.
Our condolences to the McMahon family.
We are all going to miss him and will be forever grateful for the wisdom he shared over the journey, particularly in more recent years in Brett’s time as President of the Hallora Cricket Club.
Our condolences to the McMahon family and those closest to him, we have lost a legend.
Love Brett, Madeleine, Henry and Genevieve ❤️
Love to all the McMahons.
From - Marg, Cath, Libby and Michael.
I wish I could go back in time and take a photo of you sitting on the lounger in the front room, sipping a sherry and still educating us all, may you rest in peace xxx
Hang on to all your good time memories.
Our Chris was one of his many St Mary’s Bairnsdale gr 6 students.
Rest in peace Bill after a life well lived.
Cath McCombe
I send my condolences to Bill’s family.
Condolences to the McMahon family
He continued to enjoy a chat throughout his retirement. Such a caring, beautiful and sincere man. RIP Bill, a life well lived. Xx
Our deepest and sincerest condolences on the passing of Bill. I was very sad to hear of the news.
I would like to share my thoughts and gratitude for working with such an encouraging and gracious principal.
I was a young Prep teacher at St. Vincents Primary School in Morwell East, 1980-1983. Dear Sr Mary Fermio employed me as a Prep teacher there where I started in 1980. Then, Bill became the principal there in 1981.
I loved my job at St Vincents and Bill played a huge part in that. He was always welcoming, encouraging and supportive, in my role as a young Prep teacher. I had only had one year teaching experience when Bill joined us but he never made me feel like I was inexperienced. He always made me feel so valued and appreciated. Those first 4 years at St Vincents were my most memorable and precious teaching years, thanks to Sr Mary Fermio and Bill...my mentors and role-models.
In 1983, Bill and Elizabeth attended our wedding and gifted us a beautiful set of silver coasters. They are even more appreciated and valued now.
I sincerely thank Bill for those 3 wonderful years working with him which cemented my love for teaching. I will never forget him.
God bless you, Bill, and may you so deservedly, rest in peace.
Carolina Manuele
My earliest memories of the Hallora Cricket Club were spent on Bill’s shoulders as a young kid watching the A Grade side most weeks. These are memories I will never forget and will always cherish, as Bill taught me so much about cricket but perhaps more importantly he taught me what it means to be apart of a community and a cricket club. Bill’s passion and enthusiasm about Hallora is the reason the club is where it is today and the current members involved will never forget the impact Bill made in his time at the club.

Heartfelt condolences to Liz and family. Love from
Isabelle McMahon and Janina, John and Brendan McMahon
You were a truly beautiful man. Your honesty, integrity and love shone so brightly in that magical smile. You made this world wonderful for each and every person you met. A well deserved rest for a man who spent his life in service to others. X
As we had our own families, careers and involvement in our local communities, we only saw each other every few years often at family funerals. But Bill was always interested in my life and we still had a warm connection. He completely accepted my second
husband Gordon who immediately took to his warmth and Bill’s beautiful nature. Of course, Gordon did a good repair job on Bill’s car.
My only regret is that there were so many years between our chats.
God Bless you Bill, Rest in Peace. You will always be in our hearts.
Our love and prayers to the beautiful McMahon family.
Cath and Gordon
Photo of Bill at his aunt Loretto’s 70th (my mother) in 1987

I first met Billy about 45 years ago, when I was a student teacher at Morwell East. From that time on, he became a giant in my life.
The way he related to students was remarkable and deeply inspired me in my own teaching. Bill was a natural educator, and his ability to connect with others was extraordinary.
In my current role at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre in East Melbourne, our conversations and prayer often turned to Mary MacKillop’s deep love for education as well as his own.
In Term 2 this year, the staff of St Vincent de Paul in Morwell East came to the Centre. Knowing Bill had been the first lay principal of the school, I asked him if he could share a message with them. This is what he wrote:
“I think we need to try hard to touch base with the history and tradition which we can be proud of.
The Josephite Spirit was in the tough spots. The nuns happily came to Morwell East.
So often we need to remember the good things we have done and achieved.
Be proud of the work you are doing.
Be proud of being a teacher.
It is a great thing to do with your life.”
— Bill McMahon
Bill encouraged me throughout my profession, keeping an eye on me and always showing genuine interest in my life. He offered wisdom and support through the ebb and flow of life’s seasons.
When my dad died thirty years ago, Bill came straight to Sale to be by my side. He lifted my son Peter into his arms as though he had known him forever, bringing love and comfort to our whole family.
He was so humble.
I cherished our conversations—we could talk about anything and everything. Bill shared his emotions with honesty and vulnerability.
His influence on me was profound, not only in my work but in my faith. Bill lived his Catholic faith in a down-to-earth and authentic way. He wasn’t a “holier-than-thou” man, but one who trusted deeply in prayer and in Love, keeping his rosary close.
Bill was the Light of Christ in my world.
I have no doubt that Bill is now enjoying his heavenly reward—a reward so richly deserved. I weep tears of gratitude, because I have been so incredibly blessed to have known such a beautiful man.
We will never forget all the memories we share.
We will never forget the coins clinking together in your pockets.

I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Thinking of you all and sending my heartfelt condolences at this sad time.
With sympathy,
It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to you. Thank you for being such a great support and passing on your wisdom and the importance of faith and family values. Rest easy uncle!
Love Kieran, Jamie,Rose and Lola. Xoxo
Mr Mac was my grade 6 teacher at St Mary’s in Bairnsdale. Every body should have the opportunity to be taught by a true caring understanding educator such as Mr Mac. It was my great good fortune to be in that grade 6 class with him as our teacher. He understood and cared for his students and was one of the biggest influences in my life and in no small part formed me into who I am today. I’m sorry that I rarely saw him after school life but his teachings are never far from my thoughts.
Once again my heart felt condolences to everyone who will miss him in their lives
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Bill.
Love from Kevin & Kerry Morgan
Our sincere thoughts and sympathy to dear Liz, David, James, Tim and Chris and all your families.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
Con and Peta Cannamela
Gaye & Peter O'Riley
So glad visited him at the nursing home last couple years , with him instructing us to take him down to the royal for a few quite beers .
Loved a chat in his own
Unique way .condolences to the McMahon family
Rip my freind
Craig Russell
Such great memories.
Love to you all.

RIP old friend.

Bill was a key figure in my life as we all grew, bonded and matured together as a big bunch of mates, so often in his presence or under his guidance.
I will fondly remember Bill as someone who had my back in tough times, without question or judgment- shared the joy of good times, and always showed genuine care to me and my family.
Rest peacefully mate, my story was richer for having you in it.

Chris,Tim and the extended family from Terry and Di Ahern.R.I.P. Bill , our very good friend for over 40 years.
I am so grateful to have known Bill...he was a wonderful man and I will always have memories of him and a place in my heart.
The world is a better place because of Bill, but just a little sadder today.
So much love and wishes for whole family. Lots of love Dave, Michelle, Poppy & April

I was lucky enough to work with Bill through the Catholic Education Office and my job at St Joseph’s.
We then continued our friendship through Hallora Cricket Club , Blues Football Club and Warragul Football Club.
Bill and Liz were good family friends.
Condolences to all family members
Arlene and Richard Bible
May you now rest in peace



