YOUR INDUSTRY
RON GALL: HE DID HIS BIT Words by Glenys Christian Ken Robertson was a former executive officer for the Fresh Tomato and Potato sectors, as well as manager for the Process Vegetable Product Group and the Fresh Vegetable Product Group. Peter Silcock went on to work with Ron for 20 years and was a speaker at his funeral in Wellington in late May. “Ron initially looked after Fresh Vegetables and then the Potato sector which later became Potatoes NZ, where he remained for 18 years. He also used his fantastic event management skills to manage Vegfed’s Conference for many years. “Ron had an enormous capacity for work. He was passionate and enthusiastic, he was a thinker and loved to challenge the status quo,” he said.
Ron Gall
Ron Gall, the former business manager of Potatoes New Zealand, has been remembered as putting the industry on the world stage during his 21-year contribution. He passed away in May. Former work colleagues and growers paid tribute to him as a champion of the potato industry who played an important role in their debates of current issues as well as organising and running a large number of highly successful conferences. Ronald Hutcheson Gall, 77, was born in Aberdeen in 1944, where his first job was with Inland Revenue. After transferring to Glasgow he came to New Zealand as an assisted migrant in 1966 with £15 (about $30NZ) in his pocket. He worked for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) in Wellington and married Gail in 1971. He joined Vegfed as an executive officer in 1990, coming from Parliament where he was private secretary to a number of senior ministers. “Along with the ‘commander’ Ken Robertson and I we made a great team,” said former Vegfed then HortNZ chief executive, Peter Silcock.
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“He loved the vegetable industry and got to meet and talk with most growers around the country. I feel privileged to have worked with Ron and benefited from his knowledge, support and friendship. He was a unique person, a true champion and loyal friend.” In 2009 Ron was awarded the Potatoes New Zealand Chairman’s Award for his energy, passion and enthusiasm for the industry. He retired in 2012 saying he believed the new structure and focus of Potatoes New Zealand Inc was the correct way forward.
Ron had an enormous capacity for work. He was passionate and enthusiastic, he was a thinker and loved to challenge the status quo Stuart Wright, chair of Potatoes New Zealand, acknowledged both his contribution and commitment to the industry as well as celebrating his industry foresight at that time. “His call for change was key to the potato industry’s continued success,” he said. He had left Potatoes New Zealand a better place. Terry Olsen, former chair of Potatoes New Zealand, who worked with Ron closely over seven years, and also spoke at his funeral, said he believed Ron’s presence was integral in determining the potato industry’s economic future.
