LOCAL LIFE
Passing of legendary
Makers , Painters and Mayhem horseman , Ron Males
Love and marriage , go together like .. .. .. a horse and rider . Val and Ron Males had a long lifetime love affair for each other and horses .
Makers , Painters and Mayhem is a creative art studio in Richmond that conducts unique workshops . They welcome people of all ages and skill levels .
Its focus is promoting enjoyment , building a sense of community , and nurturing creativity among all participants ; this can range from a small child participating in a Toddler Tuesday session to a senior attending a ceramic workshop .
The studio ’ s teachers are as unique as their workshops , quirky , fun , and incredibly talented . Its diverse workshops include ceramics , 3D pen art , mandala , lino print , cross stitch , cookie design , photography , crochet , Cricut , pottery , watercolour , acrylic painting and jewellery making , ( this is not a complete list .)
Makers , Painters and Mayhem also host special events such as , Gilmore Girls ceramics night and trivia , Meet Bluey – games , craft and photo and
Bridgerton : high tea and art workshops .
A goal for this year is to organise an art project that the whole Hawkesbury community can participate in .
The studio has one golden run that is core to its business , ‘ be kind to yourself , to your surroundings , and to one another ’. It is hoped this will create a safe space brimming with authentic happiness without boundaries .
Teachers are regarded as colleagues rather than staff , enabling the studio to operate as a collective ; all play a part in the success of the creative journey . In the next five years Makers , Painters and Mayhem will work on becoming more engaged with the community , embarking on exciting adventures , and bringing life and vibrancy to the Hawkesbury region , with a little mayhem thrown in for good measure !
For information on workshops and events see advertisement below .
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by Greg Martin
Sadly , ever since I have been part of the Hawkesbury Independent team , many of the inspirational subjects I have had the privilege of meeting and writing about have left this place . And left holes in our hearts !
So , it is with , yes , a broken heart , that I report the passing of distinguished and revered horseman , Ron Males . Ron passed away peacefully in his home at Uniting Hawkesbury Richmond Residential Aged Care on June 3 .
He and his wife of 70 years , Val , are legends in the world of Arabian horses and both were proud inductees ( 1993 ) as life members of the Arabian Horse Society of Australia .
The devoted couple were also recipients of Order of Australia Medals for their services to the equine industry through their breeding of quality Arabians which attracted buyers from around the globe .
One of those passionate ownerbreeders was legendary American singer and performer , Wayne Newton .
Since 2017 , Ron and Val , who tied the knot in 1954 , had lived in the Independent Living section at the Uniting Care village in Richmond .
For a couple used to “ livin ’ and a-workin ’ on the land ” for 40 years at their Ralvon Stud on the banks of the Colo River , the Males settled comfortably into their new surrounds where their gardening skills were much appreciated by fellow residents , village staff and visitors .
The love affair with Arabians kicked off the year after the
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young couple married .
“ I was a horse mad girl and Ron always had horses one way or another ,” Val recalled .
“ We began breeding in 1955 and needed a stud name and came up with Ralvon , a combination of both our names .”
Ralvon became synonymous with standing topline sires which produced a long list of champion offspring . The Males ’ contribution to the Arabian horse also included being long-time committee members and joint patrons of the AHSA , successfully competing in endurance races , showing their magnificent animals at a multitude of shows where they also became highly respected judges .
Throughout most of their time at Colo River Road , Ron and Val had up to 100 horses on the property but over the years they cut back in numbers and by the time they decided to relocate , they had just eight horses in their paddocks .
“ All of them were given away to good homes ,” Ron said .
Ron Males OAM is survived by his beloved Val , their children Kerry , Phillip and Peter , nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren .
BREAKFAST CLUB
Early drop off for busy parents .
Kids get to have breakfast and some early fun acivities .
7.30am-9am www . makerspaintersandmayhem . com . au
6 / 31 Bowman St , Richmond
FUN WORKSHOPS
Partake in a range of creative activities .
• Acrylic painting
• Crafting Bows
• 3D printing art
• Ceramics projects
• Pottery making
• Crossstitching
• Unique jewellery pieces
A WEEK OF FUN
Full week workshops giving kids the opportunity to learn a cross range of art forms in 2 great themes “ Once upon a time ” & “ Make your own imaginary friend ”
Daily 9am-5pm
HAPPY HELPERS
This is an hour to support busy parents with a late pick up .
Kids get to help create art projects for the upcoming days .
5-6pm
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 170 // JULY 2024 9