Celebrating the Life of Ron Child, May 1921 - September 2022

Ron Child, Centenarian

By Geoff Evans

Originally published in DYC Newsletter, May 2021

Ron Child will be celebrating his 100th Birthday 3 May 2021 at a party at DYC. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ron at his Devonport apartment.

Ron was born in Wellington and attended Te Aro School and later Rongotai College.  He was 14 when the depression ended and being the eldest of four boys, felt some responsibility to leave and get work to help contribute to the family finances. His father had fought in WW1, including in the battle of Passchendaele, and with the military connections he became a cadet and then joined the army at age 19. He trained in the artillery and was married to Nola just before he was due to join the 2nd Expeditionary Force. However, because of service injuries didn’t get to serve overseas. He later transferred to the air force where he spent time as a dispatch rider between air force bases.

At the end of hostilities, he went into the building trade and later ran his own building firm. He built his own house where he and Nola had three daughters. He enjoyed life in the building trade until after a bad fall led to his doctor advising him to take on clerical work in order to recuperate. He became a clerk in the State Advances organisation, then a building supervisor. His talents were identified early on and he was given the opportunity to train as a valuer and became involved in the education side of the Rehabilitation and Trade Training organisation where he enjoyed a good career been based Lower Hutt, then in Hamilton, and as a senior in charge of the carpentry training school Rotorua and eventually moving to Auckland in 1972. 

Ron and Nola’s enjoyed life in Remuera then to a house near the Rose Gardens in Parnell and then to their apartment in Devonport nine years ago, however he was sadly widowed just before they were due to move into their Devonport apartment.

Ron attributes his good health and longevity ’s to his interests and activity in a range of sports as well as running. When he was a youngster Ron’s family had a bach at Scorching Bay at the entrance to Wellington Harbour and enjoyed boating and fishing but has never owned a yacht though he has enjoyed sailing on other people’s boats, including his daughter and son in law’s 44 foot yacht. They had some drama recently, but that’s another story! His initial interest in DYC was the club’s connection with Sir Peter Blake and has been a member of DYC ever since moving here, enjoying the social side of the club and coming to the DYC Seatalks.

Here’s Ron Child pictured last weekend with personally signed 100th Birthday cards from the Queen, the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Mayor.

Happy birthday Ron!