“Shocked.”
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That’s how Bathurst resident Ron Hollebone described being named a Living Legend back in 2018.
“[Shocked] was probably the biggest feeling,” he said. “You do things in life and you don’t do it for the recognition. I’m humbled and proud to get the award and not every gets one, but that’s how it is.
“People in Bathurst that I’ve known have done a lot more than me.
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“You see some of those Living Legends and some of the things they’ve achieved. You’ve got to be humble to be mentioned in the same category.
In May, 2018, Mr Hollebone was announced as one of seven new Living Legends, alongside Terisa Ashworth, Clifford Berry, Margaret Hargans, Tony Lewis, Brian Mowbray and Ian Ramsay.
Mr Hollebone was born and raised in Sydney and was involved in coaching soccer and cricket before moving to Bathurst almost 30 years ago.
“I played all sports. I love sport,” he said.
“I finished up being a life member of the Lidcombe Churches Soccer Club. But then I ended up moving to Bathurst in 1987.
I’m humbled and proud to get the award and not every get’s one, but that’s how it is.
- Ron Hollebone
“I had a daughter up here and my wife was crook, so I needed to keep working and I didn’t think she’d be able too, so I needed someone handy.”
He quickly became involved with the now defunct Bathurst Railway Rugby League Club, joining the committee and eventually becoming secretary.
He also got involved with the Mejallan Bowling Club when he was first in Bathurst, becoming the secretary there and director.
But he eventually left for the Bathurst City Community Club, where you’ll find him most Saturdays playing bowls. He’s also the vice-president and publicity officer at the club.
Mr Hollebone is also a life-member of the Bathurst RSL Sub-Branch, has been nominated for Citizen for the Year and has won Citizen of the Month.
When he first came to Bathurst, he worked for Grace Brothers, before joining the Salvation Army, running its family store.
And that’s what lead him to his current job as a prison chaplain, which he retires from on Monday.
It all started back in 1991.
He was asked by someone in the Salvation Army whether he would like to take up a role as a prison chaplain, which he accepted and has done for over the past 20 years, the last two out at Oberon.
“Becoming a prison chaplain is the best thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
“In a nutshell, I have to provide practical and spiritual support for inmates and their families and staff and their families.
“I run church services, but I’m not really running around with the Bible in my hand. I think if you’re being practical you’re being spiritual.
“I’ve got a religious background and God was more practical then spiritual and I think if you’re helping people practically, you’re helping them spiritually.
“You meet people that have made mistakes, big mistakes, horrific things. But when you get down and spend time with them, they’re basically like you and me.”
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