Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Winston Churchill once remarked:

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

On this measure, Ron Hughes, who sadly passed away earlier this year, lived a full life. Ron was a stalwart of the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association for decades. Indeed, he was on the committee for 26 years. I knew Ron for more than 20 years and I appreciated his help and support, first when I was the chair of the Liverpool City Council sports committee and throughout that time.

During his 26-year period with Southern Districts, Ron held positions on the Liverpool District women's soccer committee and the Liverpool Sports Council. In addition to his service with Southern Districts, Ron was involved with the Liverpool Rangers Soccer Club for over 27 years. Throughout all of his life of volunteering, Ron worked passionately and tirelessly to make football more inclusive. Ron's service and dedication to football was recognised through life membership of the Southern Districts in 1993 and Liverpool Rangers in 2000. In 2012, he was also awarded football's prestigious George Churchward Medal.

At his funeral, a guard of honour was formed as a sign of respect. It was an appropriate gesture for Ron. I offer my sympathies to Ron's family and the bigger soccer family, and I acknowledge his life and all his service.

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