Prestigious lifetime membership awarded to rail luminary

19 Mar 2008

Laing O’Rourke rail stalwart Bill Killinger was recently presented with life membership of the Rail Track Association of Australia.

The prestigious award, which was last bestowed 14 years ago, was presented to Bill and fellow association member Dave Hassall on 6 March.

Bill received his Life Membership award for meritorious service as president of the Rail Track Association of Australia from 2001 to 2005 and, in particular, for his role in revitalising the association in 2001.

Bill, who has been with Laing O’Rourke for 20 years, is currently the company’s International Rail Business Development Director.

He was instrumental in securing a A$1.04 billion major rail contract in Saudi Arabia – the construction of the country’s North-South Rail Line.

General Manager Rail Rob Boulger said the award was a great recognition of the impact Bill has had on the rail industry.

“During his long career, Bill has shown immense commitment and enthusiasm to his work both in Australia and also internationally, and has been very active in the rail industry throughout,” Rob said. ““We are proud to have someone of Bill’s calibre at Laing O’Rourke and very grateful for his contribution to the success of the Laing O’Rourke rail company.”

The Rail Track Association of Australia brings together specialists concerned with the design, construction, fabrication, operation and maintenance of railway tracks, and fosters collaboration between these specialists.