Ron Sharpe OAM

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)  

Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 

Letter of Condolence - Mr Ron Sharpe OAM 

Good morning, 

I was saddened to learn of Ron’s passing. To Ron’s family and friends gathered at Palmdale today to bid him a final farewell - Linda and I send our condolences and hope you gain comfort by being together at this difficult time.  

Ron was an outstanding human being and great company. 

I first crossed paths with Ron when I was Governor of New South Wales and Patron of the NSW Branch of The Order of Australia Association. Ron and I shared many conversations about the significance and importance of The Order of Australia during regional and city meetings of the Association. As he liked to say, “The Order is not about hierarchy. It’s about real people and what they’ve done for their community.” He was a terrific advocate for our system.  

As many of you know, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006 for service to the community of the Gosford region through a range of service and social welfare organisations.  

But Ron was not defined by his OAM. Like so many of his generation, he was - as described in one social media post after his passing - a doer. He dedicated himself to community service, particularly where he could use his skills as a builder or with his earthmoving equipment to get the job done. I’m informed that Ron recently became a great-grandfather. The next generation won’t know it yet, but they too will be inspired by his selfless efforts.  

May he rest in peace.  

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July 2021 - Government House Canberra 

July 2021 - Government House - Sydney

Dear Mrs Sharpe,

It was with deep sadness that Dennis and I received the news of Ron’s recent passing.

He contributed so much over a sustained period, both to his local community and the broader New South Wales community. This was most notably recognised with being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2006 “for service to the community of the Gosford region through a range of service and social welfare organisations”.

Ron’s service continued for many subsequent years as Chair of the Order of Australia Association NSW, as Regional Coordinator and more recently as Regional Groups Coordinator.

We would normally have expected to see more of Ron at Investiture Ceremonies at Government House from time to time, but the present pandemic has rendered attendance of such VIP’s impossible since the beginning of 2020. And how disappointed we are that those opportunities have been lost to us. 

On behalf of Dennis and myself, I send to you and the family our deepest sympathies at this very sad time.

Yours Sincerely 

The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC

Governor of New South Wales

Dear Mr Sharpe - Dear Michael,

I was deeply saddened on learning of the recent death of your beloved father, a fine Australian in so many aspects of his character.

Certainly, he served our nation in different ways and will surely be remembered by so many of our citizens with deep respect and gratitude, especially by many on the Central Coast and beyond.

My thoughts of deep sympathy on this great loss by yourself, your beloved mother Carol, and all your family are with you all, as well as the fine qualities of your dear father that will not be forgotten.

Yours Sincerely

Dame Marie Bashir

Former Governor of New South Wales

The AfPA Board, CEO, NSW Branch and Committees, members and all staff are deeply saddened by the recent passing of long-time AfPA supporter and friend, Mr Ron Sharpe OAM. We offer our thanks and tributes to Ron and our sincere commiserations to his wife, Caroline, and their family members including his son, Michael Sharpe.

A self-made and highly successful businessman, Ron knew his industry literally from the ground up. He also held a deep sense of community wellbeing, devoting a great amount of his valued time to community services. 

Ron brought all his experience, knowledge and principled mindset to his volunteered contributions to AfPA activities. He chaired the NSW WHS Committee for many years and was founder and Chair of the NSW Profiling Committee working very closely with former NSW/ACT Executive Director, Dougall Broadfoot. His valued leadership in these fields was noted for his practical sense of reality, curiosity in searching for better ways, liberal doses of common sense and delightful sense of humour.

We will all miss you, Ron. Thank you for making lives better and your tremendous contribution to our great industry.

July 2021

See how we grow over 11 generations since 1799.

See the Sharpe Family Tree here

London - James Blackman b 1759 married Elizabeth Harley and they sailed to Sydney.

Sydney - Their daughter Mary Ann Blackman b 1803 married Josephus Henry Barsden            

Bathurst - Their daughter Mary Ann Barsden b 1824 married William Richard Smith            

Essington - Their son William Henry Smith b 1840 married Emma Humphries           

Oberon - Their daughter Sara Rose Mary Smith b 1865 married George Bailey            

Sydney - Their son Victor Ernest Bailey b 1898 married Sylvia Olds           

Sydney - Their daughter Merle Winifred Bailey married Douglas Woodhouse Sharpe.           

Gosford - Their son Ronald Douglas Sharpe b 1950 married Caroline Curby            

Gosford - Their son Michael Douglas Sharpe married Elizabeth French and they have three children and two grandchildren.  

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.