Out of the ordinary

By Lia Bichel
“PERSISTENCE will beat brilliance,” and “there’s no such word as can’t.”
This according to 30-year Dandenong Rotary member and CEO of Norden Body Works which recently celebrated its year 50th year of business at the Doveton Chifley hotel with about 200 guests.
Ron Anson, 81, said perseverance, determination and a little bit of stubbornness has been the key to the business’s success.
Norden Body Works was founded by Mr Anson and Dennis Lantsbury in late 1959.
In the 1960s, Mr Anson’s father Walter purchased Mr Lantsbury’s share of the business, but he passed away in 1979.
Norden specialises in vehicle modifications for reduced mobility access, but that hasn’t always been the case.
The company used to specialise in building tray bodies, tilt trays, bulk loaders and van bodies until Mr Anson joined Dandenong Rotary Club more than 30 years ago.
At his first meeting, he discussed his business, but after the meeting had a request by another member to fit out a vehicle to transport people with a disability.
Since then, Mr Anson said the business has “taken off.”
He was largely supported by his wife Pam, who passed away in 2005. Now, with help from two of his three children, Robert and Wendy, Mr Anson said the future focus of the business would continue to be on fitting vehicles for reduced mobility access.
“It’s taken off, would like to keep going in that direction but it depends on the demand. But I don’t think that will alter,” he said.
“Some people are born (with disabilities), sometimes the disabilities occur later in life. It’s heart wrenching. But it is a good feeling when you can help them out. I have a lot of pride in our work.”
Mr Anson’s family and peers said his passion to help others moves beyond his business focus.
He was a secretary and president of the Dandenong Rotary Club, which he continues to be a member of, and received a Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 2007.
His daughter Wendy said she has learned a lot from him.
“I learned how to finance, and how to mix and talk to people, I learned integrity, I learned to be the best I can be,” she said.