The Lions Club senior citizen of the year announcement always takes pride of place on Wee Waa’s social calendar.

A special dinner, where guests adhered to COVID-19 measures, was held at The Imperial Hotel last Tuesday evening.

Lion Ron Lowder presented dedicated community contributor Ronan Revell with the Lions senior citizen award for 2020.

Forever modest about his achievements, Mr Revell said he was “very humbled” to receive the recognition. 

“I was quite wrapped, but it could’ve gone to any number of other people.

“It was a nice night and very well done by the Lions club.”

Mr Revell is not only known for brainstorming fantastic ideas, but also for delivering and following projects through to fruition.

From the formation of an education trust to help local students prosper to the recent restoration of a single-row cotton picker that will help attract visitors to our region, Mr Revell is always striving to improve Wee Waa and make it a wonderful place for people to work and live.

“It’s a friendly town, I’ve always enjoyed it here,” he added.

During the presentation, Mr Lowder also paid tribute to Mr Revell’s delightful, determined and energetic wife Wendy Revell.

“We acknowledge that his life has been a partnership with wife Wendy who is just as much involved with Ronan’s projects and the whole Wee Waa community,” said Mr Lowder.

“Wendy commented that Ronan’s outlook in life has been – ‘set a goal and go for it’,” he added.

Mr Revell also praised his wife for her constant support and bright ideas.

“She’s very strong on thinking beyond the square and working out new projects.”

In his presentation speech, Mr Lowder gave guests an insight into Lions Club senior citizen recipient, Ronan Revell’s many accomplishments over the years.

“Ronan left Victoria at the age of 19 years in 1963 to farm at Kununurra, Western Australia with his brother David,” said Mr Lowder.

“In 1969 they decided to move over to the Namoi Valley and settled in Wee Waa.

“Ronan stayed in Kununurra to finalise the sale of the farm and then followed David in 1970.

“The first property purchased was ‘Belah’ then followed ‘Molleen’, they also share-farmed many other blocks throughout the district.

“They (Ronan and Wendy) have three children – Janine, George and Matthew who are all grown up with their own families now, and they also share the same outlook and ideals as their parents.

“Ronan and Wendy have seven grandchildren with another due later in the year.

“Ronan and Wendy have been involved in many community activities both individually and together,” said Mr Lowder.

“In 1989 a dinner party with a then high school deputy principal resulted in the formation of the Wee Waa Education Trust.

“Ronan’s drive and enthusiasm resulted in many years of fund raising, putting thousands of dollars and resources into the local high school.

“Similarly, the same thing happened with the establishment of the Wee Waa Medical Centre of which he was chairman for many years.

“Ronan was a director of Namoi Cotton for many years, always a fighter to keep it as a Wee Waa based business – sadly this was not to be, much to the detriment of the town.

“He is a respected and hardworking member of the Wee Waa Rotary club.

“Ronan was an instigator of the formation of the Wee Waa Men’s Shed, firstly holding meetings and get-togethers in his own shed until they were able to access a more permanent home at Wee Waa Showground.

“He has been involved on the executive as well as very ‘hands on’ with the woodworking side of the activities.

“Lately Ronan has become incredibly involved with the Wee Waa Historical Society, Wee Waa Echo Museum and has just completed a mammoth project in restoring a single-row cotton picker to showroom condition. For anyone who saw what he started with, it is a considerable achievement,” said Mr Lowder.

 

 

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