On Tuesdays at the Henley and Grange Branch, you’ll find Ron - a quiet man with an extraordinary past. Ron has been volunteering at Meals on Wheels for 44 years, in addition to spending 15 years as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross. His dedication to helping others also extended to a 20-year career at Minda Inc, where he managed 16 teachers and worked with students living with 32 types of disabilities.

Ron grew up in Port Victoria, deeply influenced by his father’s commitment to the community. “Dad’s volunteer job was because he had a truck - on the weekends he would collect rubbish in 44-gallon drums once a fortnight. When I was 12, he let me have a practice run. All I ever wanted to do was leave school and work with him,” Ron recalls. “That was the start of my volunteer work - giving back to the community.”

By the age of 15, Ron had started driving trucks, hauling grain interstate. He also made trips to Kadina, collecting skimps (quarter-inch metal) in his empty truck, which he would get for free and give to his local golf club. “There was no water and no lawn, so they used skimps on the putting green. That’s when I realised the reward of helping others.”

Known as ‘Tank’ on the football field, Ron had a successful sporting career that began in his hometown. At 18, he was encouraged by his father to play league football in Adelaide, joining the Norwood Redlegs. “I didn’t really want to go to Adelaide - I was happy being kingpin where I was,” he admits.

During his career, Ron played 16 state games, won the 1966 Magarey Medal, was inducted into the SA Football Hall of Fame in 2002, and later, the Norwood Football Club Hall of Fame in 2006. Ron’s love for footy wasn’t about the money. “In those days, I had to knock off work early for training, so I’d pick up weekend work to avoid losing income. When people ask me the difference between footy then and now, my answer is - money! Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat!”

Football is a young man’s game, and Ron retired in 1968 after 10 years with the Redlegs . After selling his trucking business, he turned his focus to volunteering and raising his three sporty children with his wonderful wife Joan. Joan and Ron coached and assisted with their children’s chosen sports - Football, swimming, horse riding, cricket, tennis, surf lifesaving (Nippers) and netball. Around this busy schedule Ron always made time for Meals on Wheels.

“I remember the day I started at the branch in June 1970. A friend of mine was already doing it and invited me to come along on Tuesdays.”

With his background in trucking, becoming a volunteer driver was a natural fit. Back then, the Henley and Grange branch had six delivery rounds, each delivering to 30–35 customers. Every round had three volunteers: “We had two to three thermoses each and took turns. One thermos had the main course - like chops - all jammed in together, another had mashed potatoes, and the third had veggies and soup. Lots and lots of soup. Cake and custard were also big favourites. Occasionally, if supplies ran short, the last 10 customers were rotated to ensure fairness. If we ran out, we’d duck to the deli and grab a pie or a pastie. Most people were happy with the alternative.”

After a break from volunteering to return to work, Ron eventually rejoined Meals on Wheels, this time alongside his wife Joan - partner in life and also volunteering. By then, meals were packaged in foil trays and stored in insulated ice chests. The couple later took on an extra shift on Fridays, which was the busy money collection day. “And of course, no one had the right money - or they’d try to pay in shillings!”

After all these years the only thing Ron would change is listening more to his body: “Having experienced mobility problems firsthand prior to my multiple joint replacements, I recognised the opportunity to help others. Why Meals on Wheels? It keeps me active and keeps my brain ticking over and all the friends I have made along the way. In short: I’m proud to be a member of a great team! Working with Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross for so many years is a decision I have never once regretted."

Quick Fire Questions

What is your favourite part of volunteering?
Catching up with people, seeing the joy on their faces. In earlier days, I was often the only person they’d see if they lived alone. They looked forward to my visit.

Which footballer (living or passed) would you invite on a delivery round?
I’d love to take Tex Walker - he’s one of my heroes.

For more information on Ron's football career, visit the Red Legs Hall of Fame website: Champions Hall of Fame