The local Jaycees had raised money for an ambulance and, at that stage, people needed a passenger service licence to be able to drive one.
"Only a few of us in the district had that licence so I became involved, supposedly until they got under way," Mr Hill (76) said.
He spent 33 years attending callouts - "most of it was minor ... now and then you get that big one" - but is now only involved in administration, as chairman of the area committee.
Asked about retirement, he laughed and said: "One day".
Mr Hill is looking forward to attending a function in Kurow tonight, where more than 80 people are gathering to celebrate St John's 125th anniversary.
St John Waitaki, which was established in 1962 - although ambulances did operate in the area before that - supports the community from Duntroon to Omarama, as well as the influx of holidaymakers to the Waitaki Valley during the summer.
Mr Hill is delighted with the organisation's latest acquisition, an events caravan which has been modified to treat patients.
The previous caravan was old and heavy to tow.
The new one cost $30,000. Meridian Energy gave $20,000, with the remaining $10,000 raised locally and also funded from the sale of the old caravan.
The doors at the rear came from St John in Hamilton and two stretchers and squabs came from St John in Christchurch, with Waitaki St John doing a "trade in" on an old stretcher which the other group wanted for its museum.
As well as being ideal for treating patients at events such as rugby games and the Omarama rodeo, it also provided comfort for St John volunteers who were able to make hot drinks.
While the caravan would be managed by St John Waitaki, team leader Jon Brocas said it was a community asset.
"Everything from a rugby game through to a major disaster, it's there."
St John Waitaki has 11 volunteers, including school pupil Matt Irving, who is training while at boarding school in Dunedin.
St John was an organisation that relied on volunteers to sustain itself but had a "thoroughly professional" aspect, Mr Brocas said.
