Here is a link to a GoFundMe page set up by Ron’s daughter, Kelly.

Cheers

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ron-recover-from-the-northern-nsw-flood


Quote:

A few words from Kelly Ron, the man behind Kingbrown Camp Oven Kitchen, has been devastated by the recent Northern NSW flood disaster. Like many of his mates, Ron has lost his home to the flood, as well as most of his stock and equipment for his beloved business, Kingbrown Camp Oven Kitchen. Spending weeks at a time on the road travelling QLD and NSW to educate and entertain people with his Camp Oven cooking shows, Ron loves to arrive home to his own slice of “paradise” in Broadwater, NSW. Ron has spent over 15 years in his home, with an unimaginable amount of hours dedicated to building his extensive veggie garden, decorating with antiques and establishing an outdoor camp oven kitchen. Ron was proud to bring people over to admire his camp ovens displayed throughout his home, and visitors would comment not only on the unique way Ron had decorated, but also on his love for his home and community. Many people in the local area would regularly drop in for a beer and a feed at Ronny’s. Most knew that they always had a safe place to stay at Ron’s home if needed, or at the very least a space to offload some of their troubles around a camp oven. Ron saw how the camp ovens would bring people together and open them up. It was here he began to form his own supportive camp oven community. Before long, people from all over Australia found a connection with Ron and his camp ovens. Each person has their own unique story of what connected them to Ronny, but commonly threading them together was their enjoyment of an almost forgotten art form of cooking, as well as their love for the spirited man behind the ovens. Unfortunately Ron was positioned right on the Richmond River in a 100 year old cane farm house. When the waters began to rise in the Northern Rivers no one ever expected them to be so high. The 2022 Northern Rivers Flood Disaster has been described as catastrophic and never before seen in Australia. The force of the floodwaters, well and truly exceeded existing records, inundating Ronny’s home. Much of the floodwater was contaminated with diesel, decomposing animals and chemical pollutants that stained every belonging. Thick mud coated every surface. The power of the water shifted even the heaviest of camp ovens in his home to different rooms. The damage was beyond extensive, leaving Ron with nothing more than his camp ovens, car and the clothes on his back. The home itself is not recoverable, and after 15 years Ron has been left devastated to have to leave. This story is not uncommon in the Northern Rivers right now. Most people Ron knows have lost their homes too. Ron would like support so that he can help out his mates who are doing it tough too, and so that he can get back to doing what he loves—sharing a meal over a camp oven. He is more than the camp ovens that originally draw people to him; he is a son, a father, a poet, an artist, a historian, a video game enthusiast, and above all, he is a friend to many. If you feel that you may be able to help Ronny get back to doing what he loves please feel free to donate. Even sharing this GoFundMe link helps spread awareness of the devastation this disaster has brought to many communities in the Northern Rivers. Information for Transparency: This GoFundMe has been created for Ron by his daughter, Kelly Wilson. Although offers of material goods are greatly appreciated, Ron has no home or place to store them at this time. All donations received will be used responsibly to; source Ron somewhere to live; restock the Kingbrown Campoven Kitchen; replace essential goods such as clothing; assist family/friends/wider community with replacing essential goods; and support community wellbeing by re-establishing Camp Oven Cooking within the Broadwater region

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