Ron Francis tribute
A tribute to the late Ron Francis from his son. Richard Francis.
Ron Francis 1931-2020
Ron Francis was a citizen of Lower Hutt for 60 years and was one of the most engaged and positive people in our community, mixing a strong sense of service and unshakeable faith with big ideas and a focus on “getting stuff done”.
Having survived multiple heart attacks, Ron passed away on October 25, at Hutt Hospital, aged 89.
Ron was the inspiration and administrative heft behind multiple Shapeshifter International Festival of the Arts fundraising events (raising over $300,000 for local Hutt charities) and a powerhouse for the Agape Budgeting Service (supporting over 3,000 local families to budget and access low interest loans for 30+ years), which he served for 13 years. In recent years Ron was a trustee and treasurer of the Hutt Valley Heart Trust for 15 years (raising funds in support of the Coronary Care Unit team and facilities at Hutt Hospital, as well as for cardiac event survivors in the Hutt).
His community efforts were recognised by the Mayor with a Civic Contribution Award in 2017. As a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Hutt, and foundation and life member of the Waterloo Probus Club, Ron’s many decades of service were also recognised by his peers.
Ron was an active member of the Lower Hutt Baptist Church for 60 years, which he attended with his wife Noeline.
Ron’s career encompassed 50 years as a Chartered Accountant that saw him found his own firm, Partner at a large firm and then act for many years as General Manager at Aroha Care Centre and Hospital, where he was presented with a Business Innovation Award by then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger.
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Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Poll: Would you participate in local initiatives aimed at stopping plastic from reaching our oceans?
Volunteers will be scouring the foreshore, riverbanks, and islands for rubbish on Saturday the 13th as part of the Clean Up the Hutt event.
This initiative helps stop plastic from reaching our oceans and makes our waterways cleaner and safer for everyone.
We want to know: Should this be rolled out across all coastal cities in Aotearoa? And more importantly… would you get involved? 💚
Want the details? The Post has you covered.
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74.3% Yes!
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13.5% Maybe ...
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12.2% No.
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