Tireless octogenarian looks to set up Lions and Grey Power branches

JULIA WADE
25 July, 2022

A veteran of a renowned social support club, with over 8000 members nationwide, is putting out a call to locals in a quest to set up two community-focused organisations in Mangawhai, after becoming inspired by the areas growth surge.

On a recent trip to Mangawhai to visit his son, Ngunguru resident and lifelong Lions Club member, 88-year-old Ron Thompson says he was so impressed with the ongoing development and ensuing opportunities, he got to wondering if the town could possibly support a local branch of the humanitarian organisation, the Lions Club, as well as a branch of senior advocates group Grey Power.

“I checked around and discovered there are no Lions or Grey Power organisations, I’m aware though there is a Rotary group which has just been set up,” he says. “I’ve been involved with Whangarei’s Grey Power for approximately 14 years, am still a member and just stepped down from the board, I was also president for three years.”

A Lions member for an incredible 62 years, Ron joined the organisation in 1960s Auckland, back in the day when the membership consisted of businessmen he says.

“I was 26-years-old and probably the first tradee to join. Outside my family, my adult life wouldn’t have been anything much if I wasn’t with the Lions,” he says. “It’s a great organisation as they help people less fortunate than themselves. I’ve been a part of some incredible things like helping kids with cancer and making swings for disabled children, all sorts really.”

Ron’s current motivation to set up a local Grey Power and Lions is not the octogenerian’s first time in forming a grassroots group. No stranger to hard work, in his younger years Ron’s lifelong passion for football led him to co-found the Te Atatu Football Club and his trade also steered him to set up Lions on a tropical island. After serving his apprenticeship as a young joiner, Ron got into building, managed his own spray plaster business and then spent time in Fiji as a project manager for an American building firm.

“I stayed for three years, helping to expand the building trade and coaching girls soccer. I also started two Lions clubs, was president of both. Sadly now they’ve gone though, bit wild about that…”

Lions have also opened up many doors for Ron including being asked to arrange two prestigious events: Fiji’s centennial celebrations, and chair the board responsible for arranging the royal visit of HRH Prince Charles, both in 1974.

“I thought ‘holy hell!’ They went well, though I’m possibly the first guy to ever swear at a royal aide after a dispute regarding the American flag…”

Despite his Fiji life ‘turning to custard’ following a subsequent two year stay on the island, where he lost a ton of money in the 1987 military coups, Ron views himself as lucky (‘got a lepachraum sitting on my shoulder’) and wants to extend his good fortune to continue helping others.

“I’ve had a really good, interesting life. People might think I’m just an old codger, but before I kick my clogs off I’d like to see a Lions Club or Grey Power in Mangawhai,” he says. “There’s a lot of work to be done, I’m just trying to put things together and have some friends helping as at my age I’m not very efficient with emails. If anyone is interested in helping to form either of the groups, please get in touch, they’re both great causes.”

n Interested in helping? Contact Ron on 021 720 300 for Lions and Grey Power, or Lions member and Mangawhai local Eric Carter on 0274 495 0440 for Lions only.

Ron Thompson (blue jumper) in 2000 ‘back in the day when I had hair’, with the special swings he designed for disabled Henderson school students as part of a Lions initiative. The 88-year-old is hoping to establish the social support group, and Grey Power, in Mangawhai and is looking for helpers.

“I’m just an old codger, but before I kick my clogs off I’d like to see a Lions Club or Grey Power in Mangawhai.”

- Ron Thompson