RON Fort was born in Hamilton on July 17, 1934, to be the son of Gladys and Keith Fort, and younger brother of Phyllis.

His home was Clarence Street, followed by moves to Branxholme, Murndal and finally ‘Lanarch’, where Ron celebrated his 21st, having attended Gray Street Primary School and Hamilton High.

Following school, he did an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at Ansetts and over this time he boarded with his Aunt Win through the week, riding his bike into Hamilton on Monday mornings and back to Branxholme on Friday afternoons.

Ron then established his own garage business in Dunkeld in a building owned by Archie Fitzpatrick, which he ran until the building was destroyed by fire.

After this, through a football connection, he took over the running of the garage at Glenthompson.

Ron’s next significant moment was meeting Ellen Donohue at a Nurses’ Ball.

A great relationship developed, leading to their marriage on April 24, 1965, the day before Anzac Day - true to form, Ron hadn’t booked any accommodation, leading to a one-night stay in accommodation, which, to say the least, was not satisfactory!

To Ron’s credit though, in those early days before the marriage, he used to work on the weekends falling and snigging logs at the Billy Wing for Fitzpatrick’s Mill, and also supplied firewood for the Hamilton Dairy Boilers - this enabled him to save enough to buy Ellen’s engagement ring.

Ron and Ellen first lived at 41 Alexandra Parade - Craig was born in 1966 and Kerry in 1967.

Ron was working at Riley Motors and then he and Jimmy Thurgood went into partnership to run what was Rowe’s Garage, situated where Bunnings is today.

Ron and Jimmy next purchased Hamilton City Motors in French Street.

In due course, when Safeway was established in Hamilton, they sold their property to Safeway - after holding out long enough to secure the best price!

They then set up business at 112 French Street, where Ron remained for the rest of his working life.

In his early days Ron was a keen footballer, starting at Pedrina Park - he once received a prize of one shilling from Fred Fanning for being able to kick goals from all angles.

He held on to this for some years, but eventually spent it at the pub, possibly on his first visit!

He went on to play with St. Mary’s and Hamilton, and for a time at Dunkeld; a report in the Ararat Advertiser once featured a comment on what a great kick-out Ron was from full-back.

Ron loved fishing and camping, and caravan holidays with Ellen, including a trip to the West to visit Ron’s cousin, Max.

It was a great sadness to Ron when Ellen passed away on February 9, 2021.

At the time of Ron’s passing they had five grandchildren: Bree, Ellie, Georgia, Lily and Aiden; and two great grandchildren: Jasper and Bear.