Ron Tomlin is the type of person all neighbourhoods and communities need.
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The St Georges Basin resident is well known around the area as someone who would always fight for his community.
He made groups like Shoalhaven City Council and developers accountable for their actions.
A small but special section of his community recently took the chance to honour Mr Tomlin.
In 1976 Mr Tomlin planted a liquid amber tree in Blackett Park, St Georges and over the years the tree gave pleasure to many people.
So recently under this grand tree a group of Mr Tomlin’s friends and family gathered.
Mr Tomlin was surprised when strolled down to the park and saw this group of people under the tree.
He was even more surprised when his friend and neighbour Walter Zammit unveiled a plaque he had put on the tree.
“Today we mark 40-years when this lovely tree was planted by this lovely man (Ron Tomlin),” Mr Zammit said.
Mr Tomlin thanked everyone who turned up to the presentation.
“This is totally unexpected and I hope the plaque stays here for a long time,” Mr Tomlin said.
“I am proud of this tree.”
Over the years 100s of children have climbed the tree, it provided shade to many people and it helped beautify the park.
Mr Tomlin, with help from Mr Zammit, now wants to measure the tree.
You get the impression Mr Zammit would be happy to help.
“Ron is a genuine good hearted man who is always willing to lend others a hand,” Mr Zammit said.
“He is a gentleman and he has a good sense of humour.”
Mr Tomlin is now 83-years-of-age and is slowing down.
His record of community involvement is impressive and his wife Melda is one of his greatest supporters.
He was involved in a protest that helped stop a huge tip being built in Tomerong, he protested about local development and how it was badly designed as a traffic hazard on Island Point Road, campaigned and helped win the battle for the run off from the IGA development with stormwater going into the Basin and lots more.
He is a past winner of a Shoalhaven Medal, which is now awarded on Australia Day.
Mr Tomlin, in his immediate neighbourhood, looks after everyone's properties when they are away and had started up the local Neighbourhood Watch when it was an active program.
He was a prolific letter writer to the South Coast Register and Shoalhaven City Council.