Ron’s road to success

THE late and great Ron Rado has been recognised posthumously with an induction into the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Mr Rado passed away on Anzac Day 2001 after suffering a stroke at age 68. He will forever be remembered as the man who built a multimillion-dollar empire while remaining grounded and committed to the community around him.
Mr Rado was born in Italy in 1933 and worked with his father as a builder. He came to Australia with brother Roldo in the 1950s at age 21.
During his early years in Australia, Mr Rado teamed with his brother to provide concreting services on important projects such as the 1956 Olympic Pool and the GMH Plant in Dandenong.
He later formed the Standard Roads Construction company in 1960 and in 1961 experienced another milestone – he married wife Nancy.
He bought a bankrupt business in the late 1960s that became Akron Roads and under the Standards Road Group, employed more than 400 people.
Mr Rado is also famed for creating the Gumbuya Park tourist attraction in Tynong North.
He was a member of the Rotary Club of Pakenham, chairman of the Dandenong Credit Cooperative, a member of TAFE’s south-east advisory board and founding member of Dandenong’s Italian Club.
After his funeral in 2001, close friend Ray Canobie spoke highly of a man who was committed to those he loved.
“He was a fellow who frequently travelled the world, but in all of those high powered exercises he never lost focus on the more important things in his life – which was his family,” Mr Canobie said.
“I think there were so many categories to Ron, he was a businessman – someone with incredible vision, with drive, with absolute integrity, who was more than appreciated. He was loved by his staff.
“He took people from seemingly hopeless situations and encouraged, sometimes cajoled them to achieve great heights.
“He was a friend, generous to a fault, delighting in the simple pleasures and yet appreciating the really great times – always available to encourage and not to criticise. He was the community worker.”
Mr Rado joins last year’s inaugural inductee, Ken Grenda, in the Hall of Fame.