I was in Kuranda for a few days over Christmas and tried to ring Ron, but he was asleep at the time and his wife didn't want to wake him, so I missed one last conversation - and conversations with Ron were a pleasure. A listener as well as a raconteur, he had an enormous fund of knowledgae about a huge range of subjects, and was always trying to expand that knowledge.

I am certain that no-one had a greater knowledge of traditional Australian song or craft, and to this he added so much else in aboriginal lore, bush customs, and other odd bits and pieces.

A lovely man.