Ron Morgan is a beloved member of the Whitianga community and an ex-teacher at Mercury Bay Area School. Ron has been contributing to Coromind magazine since issue 1, bringing stories of locals who currently live, or have had meaningful life experiences, overseas. The Coromind team loves receiving forwarded emails from Ron, sent by the lovely people he contacts to be a part of our magazine. Their words of praise and memories of the good times they had when they were young and got to connect with teacher Ron are always heartwarming. To celebrate this collaboration and highlight the importance of educators in our community, Coromind had a chat with Ron so you can get to know more about this local legend!
Where did you grow up and how long have you been living in the Coromandel?
Born and bred in Rotorua and holidayed here from a beautiful babe in arms, with regular visits until a teaching position became available here.
How long did you teach at Mercury Bay Area School?
From 1977, with a short break to Great Barrier Island and a year in Canada.
Have you lived overseas? What made that time special? If not, what are your favourite places you have visited in NZ or around the world?
I was selected for Teacher Exchange in Ontario, Canada, in 1986, which was a lifetime highlight. The many contacts and experiences were incredible, namely running in the New York Marathon and being invited to the prestigious Ontario Student Leadership Course, where the liaison has continued with over 90 local folks who have benefited from this course over several years. The friendships made have continued to this day, as have the memories of minus 30-degree temperatures and ice fishing, playing goalie in an ice hockey team (I couldn’t skate but wore boots in goal), skiing, and generally enjoying all the opportunities available.
What are your fondest memories of your teaching career?
The friendships made with fellow staff and the students. MBAS is unique in that teachers are part of the community, and being an Area School, there have been enduring contacts with parents and students over many years. I can proudly say that many students I taught are friends, which you may not find in a city situation. I did retire after a third-generation pupil enrolled!
We tried to make school fun, and any time out of the classroom was treasured with fond memories of electives, camps, ski trips and sports trips.
Seeing ex-pupils achieve some incredible accolades, and their recognition and fondness of their time at MBAS. Also the continued friendships students made. (Many have married!)
How does it feel to reconnect with ex-students for your page in Coromind?
Any connection is treasured and this has been facilitated by social media and I hope the page has been both informative and an inspiration for others. I do know some posts have been a role model for younger folk motivating them to strive for similar accolades. Posting online has offered worldwide contact, and family and friends have enjoyed the updates.
What are you most proud of in life?
Some highlights that come to mind would be:
Starting the New Zealand Area School Sports and the coaching clinics, seeing the Cross The River Swim and the Mount Ruapehu trip continue after convening those some years back, coaching several notable rugby players – Sir Buck Shelford, Eloise Blackwell (both captained NZ), Warren Gatland.
Some of the earlier rugby competitions held here – Roller Mills and 10-a-side tournaments. It is amazing the number of folk now living here whose initial contact with the area was through these events.
Having successfully met the quite stringent requirements for selection as a NZ Army Officer, and the many experiences and contacts made during the era of National Service. Being able to give back in some small way to the best community I know of, which has given me so much pleasure in so many ways.
Just maximising opportunities and trying to live by a phrase I once saw:
“What you say and do always comes back to you.”
Support of Ron Morgan
PROUD TO BE LOCAL — BROUGHT TO YOU BY CFM — IS OUR INSPIRATIONAL FEATURE, HIGHLIGHTING HOME-GROWN COROMANDEL PENINSULA FOLKS DOING WONDERFUL THINGS OUT IN THE WORLD.
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