What began as a hobby became an incredible contribution to charity, as Ron collected more than 120,000 recyclable bottles across the community.
Ron’s first goal was to raise $50 each week.
“If I was to get 500 cans a week, that's $50 I could donate,” he said.
“Over the course of the year that becomes $2,500 and I thought, ‘that'll be good’.
“Now we’re up to $12,400, which I am very happy with.”
Ron found help from real estate agent Karen Mitchell, the Mulwala Ski Club’s Golden Inn Chinese restaurant, and a dozen more residents who left their empty cans at the top of their bins for him to claim.
Eleven years ago, while he was living on Phillip Island with his wife Faye Guynatt, Ron was introduced to the Rubaga Youth Development Association.
The couple met humanitarian, George ‘Steven’ Kyeyune at a Uniting Church where he shared the organisation's story.
Located in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, the charity supports disadvantaged children.
Steven left his mark on Ron, who made it his mission to raise money for the poverty-stricken people of Uganda, in his retirement.
While growing up in Melbourne’s inner-city, Ron and Faye started dating as 13-year-olds, and left school to work full-time one year later.
The couple went their separate ways in their late teens but in one of life’s twists and turns, they reunited 37 years later and found they shared the same attitude, to keep busy.
Before he retired, Ron worked as a timber yard manager and a taxi driver before a car accident on the West Gate Bridge changed his direction.
By his own admission, the accident was his fault and lead him to find work as a caregiver after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper.
The job was to help a paraplegic man change, shower and live day-to-day.
After moving to Yarrawonga in 2016, Faye kept herself busy knitting with the Lions Club, contributing to 75,000 turbans the organisation has donated to charity.
As well as collecting cans, Ron volunteered with Vinnies Yarrawonga, and said he took pleasure in being able to financially assist people in his community.
Now as they prepare to move back to Melbourne to be closer to family in Pakenham, Faye says she will be sad to leave her knitting friends.
“While we work hard, they are a good bunch of ladies, really good,” she said.
Between them, the couple has 18 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren who all know that rather than receiving a Christmas or birthday present, their grandparents will be donating on their behalf to the Ugandan charity.
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