Living a life of giving through volunteering, having a beautiful wife and family, lots of walking and the occasional ‘tipple’ are the secrets to a happy life for 93-year-old Ron Marshall.
The first and longest-time resident at Eureka Claremont Gardens seniors village in Tasmania since 2004, Ron was recently honoured by friends, family and residents at a special plaque presentation by Glenorchy City Council Mayor, Kristie Johnston.
Mayor Johnston, who unveiled the plaque on Ron’s favourite bench seat, said it was an honour to be asked to officiate at Ron’s ceremony and paid tribute to a man who has given so much to the community. She added that she has known Ron for 13 years and his sense of community pride and love for volunteering was an inspiration to many.
Eureka villages provide rental accommodation within the social infrastructure sector of seniors’ retirement living.
Eureka Group Holdings operations manager, Craig Hamilton said Eureka was proud to honour Ron
who exemplified Eureka’s belief that seniors deserve to have the choice to live as independently as possible, with the comfort in knowing a friend or neighbour is a just door-knock away.
Born in 1925 Ron is part of a Tasmanian railway family dynasty and followed in his father’s footsteps working for the railways, before spending a long and successful career at the Australian Newsprint Mill at Boyer.
Well into his retirement years Ron has been a tireless supporter and volunteer at a number of organisations including the New Norfolk St John Ambulance volunteer brigade where he was superintendent for 25 years and awarded the “Serving Brother Order of St John”, endorsed by Queen Elizabeth II and presented to him by then Governor of Tasmania, Lord Rowallan.
Ron was also on the Board of Directors of the division of Australian Foundation of Drug and Alcohol Abuse; he was awarded life membership of the Tasmanian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was State President of the National Industrial Safety Council Australia and a member of the Council’s Federal Board.
Ron was married for 48 years and has four children, five grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Ron’s grandson James Treloar spoke for his grandfather saying Ron had enjoyed his time at Eureka Claremont Gardens and will miss his many friends but hopes to visit soon.
