Ronald MACONAGHIE

Dear uncle Ron. You were much loved by the family in New Zealand as you were loved around the globe.

Your Brother's, Sisters and their children were so proud of you and your astounding voice.

God Love you Ron

Grant & Kerry Maconaghie

Ron was my last singing teacher in Canberra, and I wish I had met him many years earlier. I used to look forward to his singing lessons. He taught me so much in the couple of years I was with him. Always cheerful and positive. He showed me how to listen to myself and to trust him and his judgement. I have always missed him since I left Canberra at the end of 1984.

I am sorry to say I never had the privilege of meeting Ronald, who was a cousin of my father Jack McConaghy who farmed in the place where Ronald's father David was brought up at Glennylough near Ballymoney in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. As indeed now I do also.
The wider family in Northern Ireland were very proud of their Antipodean cousin's musical ability and special talents and it is heartening to read that, apart from his obvious outstanding singing voice and his ability as a teacher and mentor he is described as a thoroughly decent, good and big hearted man by all who knew him.
He did come to sing at the annual concert of the Ballymoney and District Male Voice Choir as an honoured guest performer in the early 1960s.
I was only born in 1960 so I have no memory of his visit however it is still talked of by the older members with great pride.
After all he was
" one of our ain folk ! "
I sang in the choir as a first tenor myself, as does Billy McConaghie my cousin. Probably both with slighty less professionalism but loads of enthusiasm and enjoyment.
( By the way have you noticed that we all seem to have evolved various ways of spelling our old Scots name ! )
I want to assure his family that we have not forgotten about them on the other side of the world and even at this time of remembrance of a life well lived, I would remind them that there is still a warm "welcome in the hillside" (as the song says) awaiting them in County Antrim if they ever feel like exploring their Ulster Scots roots.
My sincere condolences and best wishes to all.
Chris McConaghy.

I adored and admired you Uncle Ron, you will always be with me in spirit.

You can now join the Choir of "Maconaghie Angels" and sing away until hour heart is content. Mum (Dorothy Wiseman nee-Maconaghie) will be with you enjoying all the duets you can know sing together.

Love Always
Your Niece

Ron and his family shared many happy times together with our family including wine bottling afternoons and happy parties always with a musical element. Ron gave such pleasure to Opera lovers for his performances as well as his wonderful TV appearances in the early years on Sound of Music. The many recordings of his work will keep his memory alive for all those who loved him and joy and pleasure to young and old in the future. We will miss you Ron....Godbless....Jenetta Russell

I was a voice student of Ron's at the Canberra School of Music from 1984 until I was posted overseas to South Africa in 1986. I learnt such a lot from him - indeed, his coaching of me in the role of Schaunard (one of his roles, of course) enabled me to audition successfully for work in the professional Opera Chorus at the State Theatre in Pretoria shortly after I arrived. I will be singing in a concert of works by the composer Penelope Thwaites in London's West End on this coming Friday and will be thinking of Ron's family and friends farewelling him at Northern Suburbs Crematorium (where I farewelled my own Mum and Dad during the course of 2014). I am very grateful to have known Ron and will be with you all in spirit on Friday.

I shall always remember Ron with great respect,he was instrumental in setting such a fine example for any young singer to follow and what a great artist-forever in my memory with gratitude-condolences to Georgie and Fiona and all of Ron,s family-I am living in Melbourne and I cannot be there to celebrate Ron,s life with you-with sympathy-John Bolton Wood A.M.