Iluka’s oldest resident Bill Hammond passed away on 27 March 2020 at the age of 103.

In an interview with the former commercial fisherman in 2018, Mr Hammond told The Independent that he grew up in Woombah and attended Chatsworth Island Public School.

“I attended school for a year, in 1923,” Bill said.

“I had to walk two and a half miles to school each day,” he said.

Bill was guest of honour at the schools Sesquicentenary celebrations in September 2018, and as the oldest living ex-pupil, Bill was given the honour of cutting the celebratory cake, surrounded by the youngest pupils – the kindergarten class.

Due to the current COVID-19 restraints regarding the number of people attending funerals, a small funeral was held for Mr Hammond last week, with a memorial service in his honour to be held at a later date.