BUSINESS ICON DIES
Ron Ireland, 90, ‘just a mechanic’ who changed the face of FNQ
CITY leaders are coming to terms with the death of Ron Ireland, a gentleman in the truest sense of the word whose philanthropic and business contributions extended far beyond his humble claim of being “just a mechanic”.
The Irelands of Cairns patriarch has died peacefully at age 90 after a long battle with health problems, leaving a legacy of achievements too long to sum up in a few short words.
Mr Ireland started his mechanic apprenticeship at his father Francis Ireland’s garage as a 15-year-old, beginning his path to becoming one of the most influential businessmen the region has ever known.
His list of honours included an Order of Australia Medal and being named Citizen of the Year at the 2001 Australia Day Awards, but Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning said his true achievement was his family.
Cr Manning first met Mr Ireland through Rotary in 1984, and recalled him often saying: “What would I know, I’m just a mechanic?”
“I can tell you what, he wasn’t just a mechanic. He was a very special bloke in so many ways,” Cr Manning said.
“He was a great mentor and he enjoyed seeing your success on the back of his guidance.
“He was smart, he was a good businessman and he handled people very gently.
“He wasn’t prone to raising his voice, but let me tell you – if he dug his heels in you weren’t going to move him.”
Advance Cairns CEO Kevin Byrne said Mr Ireland was the embodiment of what a true community leader should be.
“He was a true champion not just for this city, but for his family, for business and for philanthropy,” he said.
“We are going through a transition. The challenge will be for a new generation of leaders to carry this city forward with the right principles.”
Mr Ireland was a private man who did not seek out accolades and many achievements go relatively unmarked except through the memories of those who were there.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said his old friend helped start the Far North’s sport fishing industry and was also the last surviving member of the group that established the Lizard Island resort.
He was a lifetime member of the Endeavour Foundation, instrumental in establishing the Cairns Regional Gallery and a former chairman of the Cairns Port Authority.
Mr Entsch said Mr Ireland’s wife Marion and their family were in his thoughts.
“He was small in stature but he was an absolute mountain of a man in his achievements,” Mr Entsch said.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health board chairman Clive Skarott also paid tribute to a “true community man” who looked after locals in need.