Ron was one of this city’s most significant benefactors and his generosity placed Lithgow in a unique position for national and even international bragging rights. 

Ron was a major Queensland importer of sporting firearms and a collector of historic handguns. During his career he amassed a fascinating collection of hundreds of items. 

A few years back he donated his entire collection – with insured valued of $2.5 million – to the Lithgow SAF Museum.

It was quite a gesture and as a museum official told the column ‘..overnight our exhibits doubled and we had a world class display we could never have contemplated’.

Ron’s donation put Lithgow on the map of world museums and the facility is now recognised as one of the most important to be found anywhere. Ron died last week at his retirement home at Lake Macquarie at age 93. His legacy lives on in good hands in Lithgow. Go and check it out.

ANOTHER day; another PAC hearing where extreme environmentalists find a forum to pursue their vision for a utopia where all miners are retrained as baristas.

Just how many hurdles have to be jumped before mineworkers have certainty in their ability to feed their families?

WE don’t make a habit of listing lost property in the column but now and then something of special significance turns up.

Awaiting a claimant at the Main Dry cleaners in Lithgow is a very handsome Steward’s medallion issued by the Royal Agricultural Society.  

IT’S Red Shield Week when the Salvation Army calls for cash donations to enable it’s great work to continue. Give what you can afford; you might need a helping hand one day.

LITHGOW’S choice of culinary experiences continues to grow and grow.

Last week our first Mexican outlet opened for business at Dunns Corner. Now the next temptation to open in the CBD will be a dumplings shop. That has to be a first.