A life of exploration and innovation

One of his early notes from Chile was: "Chile is a great place, Viv. Explorers are heroes here and mining is not a dirty word".

With no degrees to his name, Ron understood Classical Liberal Economics and monetary theory far better that most university professors. He is the only bloke I know who read "Human Action" and "Socialism" from cover to cover and filled the texts with notes and underlining. He was a friend to Frederick Hayek and a great admirer of Ludwig von Mises. He initiated a tour of Australia by Hayek and I believe funded most of it.

Ron was a great supporter of the Yeoman keyline system of land conservation and pasture improvements.

Ron was never afraid to stand alone or to support unfashionable causes that he believed were right. Causes like the Progress Party, the Foundation for Economic Education and the Carbon Sense Coalition. His great little book "Understanding Personal and Economic Liberty" has enlightened and delighted many readers. As Malcolm Roberts says:

His book changed my life. Any socialists who creep into heaven through the back door will need to be wary. He'll quickly sort 'em out. Meanwhile, we're the better for his earthly contribution.

At the same time Ron was a great family man and his numerous offspring are a great credit to the values he gave them. He spent his last few years in the Mount Morgan/Yeppoon/Rockhampton district, exploring, promoting the Rahco mining equipment and combating climate alarmism.

Most people in Rockhampton were probably unaware of the intellectual and entrepreneurial giant who lived among them. As John McRobert said: "The world is the poorer for his passing, but the richer for his having been."

Ron died quietly at his home in Rockhampton on 2 March 2011 aged 81.