How about we celebrate a local hero? We are standing before the Ronald Clifford Andrews Memorial Sculpture. It is more than just a sculpture. It is a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community.
Ronald Clifford Andrews was born in Pakenham in 1930. He passed away in 2003. This park is dedicated to Ron Andrews. People also knew him as Mick. He spent his life in this district.
Andrews was an entrepreneur. He founded the Pakenham Blue Metal quarry at Mount Shamrock. This was a major achievement. However his greatest achievement was the Andrews Foundation.
The Andrews Foundation is his lasting legacy. It will benefit the community for generations. Andrews’ philosophy was simple. It was to give back to the community.
The Trustees of the Andrews Foundation and Rasma Holdings dedicated this park in 2005. This shows their appreciation for his contributions. The Ronald Clifford Andrews Memorial Sculpture stands as a symbol of his life’s work.
Andrews started working at 14. He worked at a paling spot mill. His father operated it. Later he bought a truck. He used it to cart logs to a sawmill.
He borrowed 500 pounds to put a deposit on a sawmill at Longwarry. He made money from the sawmill. He developed 650 acres of scrub and bush at Yannathan. In 1969 he sold this to buy land in Pakenham. This land was at Mt. Shamrock. There he established the Pakenham Blue Metal quarry in 1974.
Andrews developed other business interests in the area. In 1989 he gained a major interest in Debco Ltd. Debco supplies gardening materials. It expanded across Australia. It also established strong markets overseas. These markets are in Japan, the USA, the UK, New Zealand and South-East Asia.
The Andrews Foundation has made significant donations. These donations went to Meadowvale Retirement Village. Ron Andrews founded this village. Donations also went to Millhaven Hostel. Further donations supported Pakenham Nursing Home and Pakenham Hospital. Warragul Hospital also received donations. Sporting clubs, churches and community centres benefited.
The Ronald Clifford Andrews Memorial Sculpture is located in Ron Andrews Park. The address is Sandalwood Drive, Pakenham. The sculpture serves as a reminder of Andrews’ generosity. It embodies his commitment to the community.
When you look at the Ronald Clifford Andrews Memorial Sculpture remember Ron Andrews. Remember his entrepreneurial spirit. Recall his commitment to giving back. His legacy lives on through the Andrews Foundation. It continues to support the community he loved. This sculpture is a tribute to a life well-lived. It celebrates a man who truly made a difference. It stands as a symbol of his enduring impact.