Bill Melbourn, formerly of the Bank of Canada and a founder member of Currency News' Advisory Board, died on July 3 at the age of 65 after a short illness.

Bill retired from the Bank of Canada in 1996 where he was engaged in all aspects of bank note policy for 20 years, latterly as Deputy Chief of the Department of Banknote Operations.  He subsequent consulted in Europe, Africa and South America and, during his career both at the central bank and as a consultant, was involved in projects concerning most aspects of bank note management - ranging from production issues such as quality control of new notes received from the printer to the central bank, operational issues related to note processing and outsourcing options. He also represented the Bank on the Intaglio Research Group which he chaired from 1992-1994 and the SSG2, the precursor to the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group.

For the past three years he chaired Central Banking Publication's annual seminar on New Developments in Banknote and Currency Management.  And he was one of the first members, back in 2002, of the Advisory Board of Currency New , becoming one of its most stalwart supporters and contributors - providing as much of a talent for journalism as he did for currency management.  

His enthusiasm and joy of life, not to mention his critical eye and expertise, will be sorely missed in the industry and by his colleagues at Currency News.