Bill Rinaldi, a man who helped thousands of people discover the joy of horseriding, has died aged 75.
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Mr Rinaldi, who received an Order of Australia Medal this year with his wife Marie for their tireless work supporting Riding for the Disabled Association, passed away on April 29.
The Rinaldis, from Warrenheip, supplied horses for the RDA program, and Mr Rinaldi was keen to continue volunteering until the end.
He was well enough to attend the ceremony to receive his OAM in person just a week before his death, Ms Rinaldi said.
"Meeting the Governor-General, it made his day," she said, praising the Ballarat Hospice for their assistance.
The Rinaldis were married for 50 years - their golden anniversary is this year, but Ms Rinaldi said she'll count it as 50 - and first bonded over a shared love of horses.
"There was a horse I couldn't ride, which I sold to him, that's how I met him," she said.
"He taught me a lot too - I couldn't ride very well at all, and he was a terrific help.
"That's what he's done all his life, all our married life, he's always helped young kids - he was very generous with his time.
"There was a little boy named Riley, he was very quiet, you couldn't get a word out of him, very shy, started from nowhere, and bit by bit he just expanded, it was just lovely."
RDA Ballarat president Bob Bath said the Rinaldis had been involved for 43 years.
"They've never charged us for the use of their horses for RDA, and you can imagine how many riders that have had the pleasure and satisfaction of using their horses," he said.
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"In his early days, (he was) a fine competitor in horse events at the Melbourne Show and Ballarat Show.
"He'll be sadly missed - his knowledge and willingness to share it is going to be a great loss, he was a wonderful person, a bloody good bloke."
Mr Rinaldi is survived by three sons and five grandchildren.
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