WA mining stalwart, author and philanthropist Ron Manners has been made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
Mr Manners was included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on June 8 for his “distinguished service to the minerals and mining sectors, and to youth through philanthropic support for educational initiatives”.
The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large.
Mr Manners was born and raised in Kalgoorlie, to a family that has a long association with mining, and he too joined the family business.
Having forged a highly decorated career in the mining industry, he felt a burning desire to contribute a missing dimension to the community that had given him so many opportunities.
In 1997 he founded the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation, a Perth-based think tank which publishes original research and has trained and sponsored more than 2000 young students to internships and conferences in many countries.
Mannkal’s flagship activity is its Leadership Development Program, which provides scholarships to WA university students to attend conferences, participate in study tours and connect with industry both domestically and internationally.
These opportunities allow students to appreciate the role of property rights, common law, free markets and limited government in fostering economic growth and human dignity.
Mr Manners has also authored seven books and countless articles about mining and economic education.
A recipient of numerous awards including being inducted into the Australian Prospectors and Miners’ Hall of Fame as a ‘Living Legend’, he said receiving the Order of Australia was one of his finest honours.
“I accept this award with pride and humility,” he said.
“I am truly touched and humbled to receive this award in recognition for my contribution to mining and educational sectors. This award is shared with the many people who have guided me over the years.
“I have been very fortunate in my life to have enjoyed a long and successful career in the mining industry and to have this opportunity to use my experience to help our next generation.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of Mannkal Economic Education Foundation and to have equipped so many students with the knowledge and confidence to help make the world a better place.
“I would like to thank my wife Jenny, who encourages me in my productive pursuits, executive assistant Judy Carroll – who has worked with me for nearly 20 years – and Mannkal Foundation executive director Andrew Pickford for his tireless work behind the scenes.”
