The 98-year-old Garden Village resident praised the organisation he supports but also reflected on his career flying during World War II and as a commercial pilot and manager. And he’s also written a book which was released just four years ago.

Mr Walesby joined Rotary in 1956, was the club’s third president and has held every club position along with ‘a few at district level’.

“Rotary is a wonderful organisation but it’s not just what they do, it is the ethics of the organisation that stand out,” he said. “Worldwide, Rotary has eradicated polio, which is an excellent example of the work it does. And I also think Rotary has developed into a more powerful club in leading its community.

“Rotary has done a lot of good in the world and certainly fills a void providing people with opportunities that may not necessarily have been available to them.”

Ron and wife Lois retired to Port Macquarie in 1983 transferring to the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie. 

He was instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Lodge Committee which he chaired for the first seven years. This led to the construction of an accommodation facility at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital – Rotary Lodge – that opened in 1996.

He also chaired the committee for the renovation of Flagstaff Hill acquiring an ex-navy flagstaff, having the area paved and erecting a stone cairn and bronze plaque that records some of the history of our early settlement.

Along with Rotary, Ron’s other passion is flying. “I’d always wanted to fly,” he said. “My only regret was that with the bombing of Pearl Harbour, we were ordered not to leave Australia.”

He flew protective convoy escort duties and carried out maritime surveillance during World War II before joining East West Airlines as a pilot. His dual role saw him step into management leading him to participate in the official opening of the Port Macquarie airport in November 1955.

Eventually he took the role of general manager South East Asia for Fokker, spending 16 years with the Dutch-owned airline manufacturer until his retirement. Although he still holds an unrestricted driving licence, Ron finds it difficult to attend Rotary meetings regularly and is a ‘not very active member’ of the RSL.

Ron married Lois 72 years ago – November 15, 1944, he announces proudly – and their two daughters and son, along with seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren now all reside in Port Macquarie.