Ron Andrews’ widow Alice, left, and children Sofia and Mia with The Andrews Foundation chairman Noel Martin at the unveiling of the memorial. Picture: Stewart Chambers.
By Sarah Schwager
A MEMORIAL for Pakenham entrepreneur Ron Andrews was unveiled at the Henty Park Estate last Friday.
Friends, family and business associates gathered at Henty Park’s central park to unveil the memorial, recognising the late charityminded citizen.
Mr Andrews, who died in December 2003, developed the Henty Park Estate with his family’s company Rasma Holdings.
His major achievements included founding quarrying operation Pakenham Blue Metal at Mount Shamrock and establishing the perpetual charitable trust The Andrews Foundation.
The Andrews Foundation board of trustees chairman Noel Martin said the memorial recognised Mr Andrews’ business and commercial achievements but also his achievements in the charitable world.
The Andrews Foundation was established in 1984 and has since donated millions of dollars to local community organisations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and kindergartens.
Mr Martin said it had been Mr Andrews’ vision to establish a charitable foundation for the benefit of the people of Pakenham and Gippsland.
“It was his desire to give back to the community where he made his wealth,” Mr Martin said.
Rod Jackson, engineering and planning consultant for landscape architects Coomes Consulting Group, said Mr Andrews had designed the estate so that it had many parks and open spaces.
Mr Jackson said it was appropriate that Mr Andrews’ memorial was placed in the middle of the estate’s central park.
The twohectare park has a lake in the middle, which was constructed as wetlands to treat stormwater.
The memorial was made with stone from one of his quarries.
Mr Martin said the charitable trust would leave Mr Andrews’ legacy for the benefit of Pakenham and Gippsland people for generations to come.
