On Thursday, January 18, the Kevin “Gunna” Ryan OAM Outdoor Arena was unveiled in the Tatura Park Equestrian and Events Complex, Hastie St, Tatura.
It’s a fitting place to honour Mr Ryan, given that he was instrumental in developing the Tatura Park Equestrian and Events Complex, providing years of hard work and commitment to the International Dairy Week venue.
Mr Ryan has already been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to Greater Shepparton, particularly Tatura.
He is a former Greater Shepparton City Council deputy mayor and councillor, recipient of the Tatura and District Citizen of the Year award in 2018 and a Tatura Park Advisory Committee member.
Mr Ryan actually found out about the renaming of the arena a few years ago and joked that it was the council’s way of ensuring he never came back after 44 years.
“As far as I’m concerned, I accepted it on behalf of all the volunteers,” Mr Ryan said.
“Tatura Park would be nothing without them.”
His family joined him on the day, and he accepted the award alongside his good friend Don McKenzie.
Mr McKenzie was the venue’s manager for major events and, according to Mr Ryan, was nicknamed “the Bulldozer” due to his ability to get stuff done and make things happen.
“I pay a lot of tribute to Don McKenzie,” Mr Ryan said.
“He was the one who decided to bring all the cows into Shepparton, and look at the tourism that continues today, it’s all about the cows.
“His forethought was unbelievable.”
Mr Ryan said he was honoured a few former councillors he had served with attended the day, as well as some current councillors.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said Mr Ryan was “instrumental” in developing the Tatura Park Equestrian and Events Complex facilities.
Cr Sali said Mr Ryan’s hard work had ensured Dairy Week had a home for years to come in Tatura, “the heart of the Australian dairy country”.
“‘Gunna’ has been heavily involved in the Greater Shepparton community for many years in various capacities,” Cr Sali said.
“He was a councillor in the Rodney Shire from 1972 and continued as a councillor during the amalgamation to the Greater Shepparton City Council in 1994.”
When asked what made Tatura so special, Mr Ryan said it all came down to the people.
“A town is made by its townspeople, and Tatura is renowned for its volunteers and everybody helping out when things were happening,” he said.
“I hope the support continues to be as good as it has been, and Tatura just continues to grow.
“Let’s continue making Tatura the crown jewel of Greater Shepparton.”