Smyth born at Maryborough, Victoria, took up umpiring in 1947 when injury ended his fast bowling career, and umpired four Test matches between 1962 and 1966. His first match was between Australia and England at Melbourne on 29 December 1962 to 3 January 1963, won by England by 7 wickets. Smyth's partner in this match was Colin Egar.
Smyth stood (again with Egar) in the first Test match played by Pakistan in Australia, at Melbourne on 4 December to 8 December 1964, a match drawn when Australia required only 78 further runs with 8 wickets in hand. This was Ian Chappell's debut match.
Smyth's last match, also against England at Melbourne with Egar as his colleague, took place exactly three years after his first, on 30 December 1965 to 4 January 1966, resulting in a draw. He continued to umpire at lower levels until 1972.
On retirement, Smyth became a long-term President of the Victorian Cricket Association Umpires' Association, adviser to the panel of VCA umpires, and lecturer on the Laws of Cricket, providing precise explanations of the complex code. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2002 for his services to cricket.
Smyth was a school teacher and was an educational psychologist, before embarking as a broadcaster in the 1960s at the BBC Northern Ireland Home Service, which later became known as BBC Radio Ulster. In the early 1970s Bill was employed with BBC Radio Bristol, in the west of England.
When Northern Ireland's first commercial radio station, Downtown Radio, went on air in March 1976, Bill was one of its original presenters, working on the shows Downtown Downbeat and The Sunday Request Show.
1978 saw his move into television broadcasting when he joined the popular Northern Ireland ITV license holder Ulster Television as a Newscaster and Continuity Announcer, a move that made him one of Havelock House's famous celebrities and household names. He remained with the station until 1987.
Smyth would spend a career in politics similarly trying to bring value to all he did ... Smyth jumped into action ... Smyth also spoke about the bill he framed called the SurrogateStalkerAct ... Smyth’s bill to address that loophole became law in January 2009.
Taxpayers will be on the hook for up to £43 billion of debt from councils set to be merged in Labour’s devolution plans ... UK. Politics. Related articles ... Rayner pledges a mayor in every area — but taxpayers will foot bill ... Chris Smyth ... .
The investment, announced in the Commons by the health minister Karin Smyth, was billed as “the biggest investment into hospices and end-of-life care in a generation” ... Smyth declined to say.
Angela Rayner will hand mayors a greater say over planning decisions with the power to “call in” major decisions even if councils object. EDDIE KEOGH/GETTY IMAGES ...Comment ... Rayner pledges a mayor in every area — but taxpayers will foot bill ... Chris Smyth.
Councilman BillMiranda, Greg Laemmle, Mayor Laurene Weste, Councilman Cameron Smyth, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean and Councilman Bob Kellar at the groundbreaking for Laemmle Threatres 6 in Newhall.
After 14 years on the Santa ClaritaCity Council and serving five times as mayor, Cameron Smyth put down the gavel for the final time on Tuesday ...Present to honor Smyth were ... Smyth leaves having served in public office for many of the last 24 years.
SeniorLabour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat figures who voted against the landmark bill last Friday are demanding to be included in the group of MPs responsible for considering potential amendments ...Chris Smyth ... Chris Smyth.
The slot for private members’ bills is often poorly attended and if a proposal lacks government support a few hours of backbench filibuster will easily eat up time, deferring any vote on its progress ...Chris Smyth.
MPs have voted in favour of an assisted dying bill that will give some terminally ill people the right to end their lives. The bill, put forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, passed with a majority of 55 votes, with 330 in favour and 275 against.
