Ron logs milestone

By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON’S gentleman mover and shaker Ron Howard didn’t get to celebrate his 90th birthday in the Mechanics Institute Hall as he and many of his friends had hoped. Just the same, in more ways than one, he wasn’t far from it.
The Who’s Who of Upper Yarra gathered at the neighbouring Upper Yarra Arts Centre on Saturday evening (4 February) to celebrate the milestone birthday with Ron, a much-loved local identity.
Ron has been one of the strongest advocates for the restoration of the hall. It was hoped that after Ron pitched in $200 to get a fund going at a public meeting two years ago on the future of the hall, it would be restored in time for his big birthday bash.
With work scheduled to start on the restoration within days, Ron said he was just happy to be celebrating his birthday with so many wonderful people and to see the future of the hall assured.
Guests were asked to make a donation to the project in lieu of birthday gifts. “At my age what do I want? I’m jut interested in getting that hall done. We’re all working on it and with the help of different one’s we’ll get it done,” he said. He announced that a total of $600 had been given on the night. “We’ll need a piano, tables and chairs and other things,” he told the well-wishers as he thanked them all for their contributions and their love and support over the years.
Ron was born at Armadale on 29 January, 1916, and first visited Warburton in 1946. He recalls riding up on the timber tram to Starlings Gap and the Federal Mill. “It was a wonderful experience to see it then in its natural state,” he said.
He and his wife, Anna-Maria, bought their land at Big Pat’s Creek in 1970 and some time later moved the California bungalow style house they had owned in Beaumaris up to the block and became part of the community and social fabric of Warburton.
Despite the sadness of losing his son, Bill at just 49 years of age, and his wife, Ron said he has been fortunate. “I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful life.”