One of these extensions was to the cultural immersion program, the River of Learning, where Uncle Ron shared his knowledge annually with Maclean High School students, including on the fish traps, tool making, medicinal plants and bush foods, along with other Elders, including Aunty Judy, Aunty Carmel, Aunty Rosie and Aunty Glenda. This program has won many awards and has been an inspiration for other schools. Thank you to Rhonda Pitson for developing this program with the Elders and for Maclean High School for making this an important annual event that embraces the knowledges of the Elders.

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Uncle Ron was a driving force for the co-creation with Macquarie University of the National Indigenous Science Education Program/NISEP. Annually, this program reaches around 200 Indigenous secondary students as science leaders, with over 2000 people annually as their audience. This program also includes the Indigenous Science Experience at the iconic Redfern Community Centre, which Uncle Ron attended for many years, sharing his immense knowledge on medicinal plants, with school children and families and helping many more Australians respect and value the rich knowledge systems of Aboriginal peoples.

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Uncle Ron once said he wanted to see every school getting involved with NISEP. While we aren’t quite there yet, our reach is across South East Queensland, northern NSW, Wagga Wagga, Armidale and Western Sydney schools, and along with Macquarie University, we now have Griffith University, Charles Sturt University and University of New England as NISEP partners. This all originated from the passion of Uncle Ron and other Elders in creating a better future for their youth.

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In 2014 Uncle Ron received an honorary doctorate for his work with Macquarie University, becoming Dr Uncle Ron.

At the time, Maquarie University’s Vice Chancellor  stated of Uncle Ron. “He provides a remarkable example of the power of education; not only in his own life but in how he has touched and shaped so many others.”

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Uncle Ron responded saying that “This award is a great honour and means so much, not only for myself, but for all of my people of Yaegl and Bundjalung Country,” “I feel enormous pride – I have come a long way from a tin hut.”

Indeed, this was a very special day.

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I remember the university suggesting Uncle Ron could bring two family members to the graduation ceremony.  Thankfully they relaxed the rules. Seeing all the front row of the graduation hall filled with Uncle Ron’s family was so joyful.  Dr Uncle Ron’s honorary doctorate sent a message that everyone can achieve great things if you set your mind to it.

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Uncle Ron believed in education being life changing. Along with being associated with Macquarie University, Uncle Ron studied in Canberra and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Letters in prehistory and anthropology. He then lectured for 10 years at Southern Cross University, Lismore in Indigenous Studies.

I and all the team at Macquarie University have been incredibly fortunate to have had the privilege to know and work with Uncle Ron, and to be a part of this community.

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I want to also provide condolences from others associated with Macquarie University who were not able to make it today.  This includes Dave Harrington, Jo Packer, Nienke Brouwer and Subra Vemulpad, who along with Ian and myself, learnt so much by yarning with and listening to Uncle Ron.

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Uncle Ron has provided us with many special memories that we will cherish.

Uncle Ron wanted to make a positive difference in society – he has done so in so many ways – and he now leaves a legacy that will keep making lives better.

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Thank you, Dr Uncle Ron. We will miss you deeply but we will ensure your positive impact continues