Ron Richards Memorial Unveiling Ceremony - May 8, 10am Purga

[DaSweetScience]

MEDIA RELEASE

RON RICHARDS MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY

DATE RELEASED: FRIDAY APRIL 9, 2010

(Ipswich, Queensland) A public ceremony to unveil a new memorial plaque to honour Aboriginal boxing hero Ron Richards will take place on Saturday May 8, 2010 at 10 am at the Purga Aboriginal Mission site at 587 Ipswich-Boonah Road, Purga.

The unveiling ceremony is to be hosted by The Purga Elders and Descendants Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with the City of Ipswich and will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the late Ron Richards birthday.

The event is part of the Purga On Show day aimed at showcasing the history of the Purga Mission and will feature food, entertainment, children’s rides and information stalls and memorabilia featuring Ron Richards.

Born Ranald Richards, at Ipswich on May 8 1910, Ron Richards learnt his craft in the fighting tents and was famous for his speed, toughness and counterpunching. With wins over the Alabama Kid, Gus Lesnevich and a war with the legendary Archie Moore, Ron is rated as one of the finest professional boxers ever produced in Australia. His fight career spanned over 140 fights from 1928-1945 featuring over 100 wins including the British Empire middleweight title and the Australian middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight titles. His 10 fights with Fred Henneberry remains the most bitter rivalry in Australian boxing history.

Steven Davidson, Chair of the Purga Elders and Descendants has been thrilled with the community response to the event and said “Since announcing the event we have been overwhelmed with enquires from all over Australia, particularly from Sydney where Ron spent a large part of his life.”

“Uncle Ron was a resident of Purga Mission and was a source of pride and inspiration to not only his family and friends on the mission but to Aboriginals across Australia. He was a genuine superstar of his time and his legacy is enormous, particularly in inspiring Aboriginal boxers such as Elley Bennett to take up the sport. We are honoured to celebrate his birthday with family, friends and fans and all are welcome to camp on the 75 acre Purga Mission grounds.” Mr Davidson added.

As part of the ceremony, boxing historian and Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame representative Ken Watson will be presenting a Hall of Fame induction award to Max Ford, Ron Richards’ nephew.

Mr Watson conceived the event and said “Ron Richards was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003 and as a passionate boxing historian I thought his 100th birthday was the perfect time to commemorate his career and achievements. I believe Ron Richards should be mentioned in the same breath as Les Darcy and Dave Sands.”

Speakers on the day include former ANBF president and Australian welterweight champion Alan Moore, local councilors, Purga elders and Ron Richards’ great niece, Jill Davidson, who will unveil the memorial plaque and speak on behalf of the Richards family.

Fast Facts:

Event: Ron Richards Memorial unveiling as part of Purga on Show day
When: Saturday May 8, 2010
Where: Purga Mission site, 587 Ipswich-Boonah Road, Purga, Qld (Near Ipswich)
Time: 9 am – 4pm (Unveiling ceremony to start at 10am)

Radio Tribute: A radio tribute celebrating the career of Ron Richards will be broadcast by the Sweet Science radio program, Monday May 3rd, 2010 from 6pm-8pm on the National Indigenous Radio Service. Listen live online (http://www.nirs.org.au or http://www.gadigal.org.au) or via radio Sydney (93.7FM), Melbourne (1503AM), Townsville (107.1FM).

For further information please contact:

Steven Davidson
Chairperson
Purga Elders and Descendants
P: 0434 038 135
E: [email protected]

Derek Kinchela
Indigenous Community Welfare Officer
Ipswich City Council
P: 07 3810 6696
E: [email protected]