The NSW Nationals wish to extend their condolences to the family of our oldest member – Ron McGuirk – who has passed away at the age of 104.
Mr McGuirk was born in Temora on May 4, 1918, and passed away yesterday in Temora hospital.
Official records show him joining the NSW Nationals in October 1984, but he reckons it was earlier than that!
Mr McGuirk grew up at Tara, to the west of Temora, where his father was a share farmer.
His first job was loading hay onto wagons for seven bob a day.
In the late 1930s he bought a mixed business shop, running it with his wife Ella for 10 years before selling it and using the money to buy their first home.
Mr McGuirk once said how he and Ella were married for “33 days less than 75 years.”
Careers in real estate and greenkeeping followed, and in retirement Mr McGuirk loved his gardening.
“I’m always in my garden,” he said last year. “Why would I be inside?”
Long-time Nats’ member Pam Halliburton said Mr McGuirk would have been disappointed that he didn’t make 105.
The thoughts and prayers of The Nationals family are with Mr McGuirk’s family.
