ONE of Swan Hill Theatre Group’s most influential and significant people passed away on January 30, 2025 at Drysdale Grove Nursing Home, aged 99 years of age.
Ronald Field, or Ron as he preferred to be known, was born on October 7,1925 in Wandsworth, England, to parents Thomas William and Gladys May.
He was the eldest of four children, brother to Betty, Doreen (dec) and Eric.
In his early years, Ron lived in his grandparents’ home, with his parents, before moving to settle in Romford England at the age of five.
He attended school from 1930 -1939, but the outbreak of World War II changed his life.
Ron left school when he was 14 and became an electrical apprentice, working with his father.
At 15, he left home and moved to Reading, England.
It was here his life’s passion for the theatre was discovered as he lived in a boarding house full of actors from the local theatre.
He was invited backstage, saw how everything worked and wanted very much to be part of it.
Two years later he was sent to Dover to degauss ships, but on his 17th birthday, he volunteered for the Royal Navy.
Ron served in the Royal Navy until WWII ended in 1945.
The only thing he would say about active service was that for 85 per cent of the time he was bored, 10 per cent frightened and the remaining five per cent of the time he was utterly terrified.
Ron was slightly injured at the end of the war and sent to a naval hospital in Sydney where he liked what he saw of Australia. In 1949 he left a very post-war grim England and came to Australia as a “10-pound Pom”.
On his arrival in Australia Ron pursued his love of theatre becoming stage director of The Arrow Theatre from 1950 -52, Union Theatre Repertory Company from 1952 -55 and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust from 1955 -58.
In 1959 he was manager of The Union Theatre, University of Melbourne, where he met his wife Margaret (nee McKenzie). Ron’s next appointment at the University of Melbourne was adminstrator of The Union until his retirement in 1984.
A visit to his wife’s family, Bryan and Beverley Mackenzie and their three sons, Scott, Lachlan (dec) and James, inspired Ron to choose Swan Hill as a desirable place to live.
He purchased a property in Werril Street, Swan Hill and immediately became involved in The Swan Hill Theatre Group.
Ron was producer/director of thirty four productions from 1985 to 2008.
Swan Hill audiences were treated to two productions each year; fifteen musicals, sixteen plays/dramas and three pantomimes. As such, Ron had a profound influence on the lives and future aspirations of hundreds of local people.
The majority of his productions were centred on involving the youth of Swan Hill.
Ron oversaw every aspect of every production and was fortunate there was a large pool of very talented and experienced actors, musicians, choreographers, wardrobe and backstage personnel to execute standout productions.
When producing a show, it was not unusual for Ron to begin work at 4am, often building the sets, much to the consternation of the neighbours.
He was devoted to perfection and expected the same from all those involved.
The performances always started exactly on time and when the curtains opened, one could hear the gasps of amazement as the spectacular sets were revealed.
Of note, Ron was involved in the first production of Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll, 1955, where he worked with the playwright, Ray Lawler.
In 2005, on the 50th anniversary of this production, Ron produced/directed the play for The Swan Hill Theatre Group at the age of 80.
In recognition of his devotion and the expertise he shared, Ron was awarded Life Membership of The Swan Hill Theatre Group on June 17, 2012.
In 2016, Ron followed Bryan and Beverley Mackenzie to Drysdale where he lived comfortably and independently until his health declined and he moved into Drysdale Grove Nursing Home in August 2024.
In accordance with his wishes, Ron was privately cremated and his ashes will be interred in the rose garden at The Swan Hill Cemetery on a date to be confirmed.
A notice will be placed in The Guardian advising when this will occur, and those who wish to attend will be most welcome.
