Appreciation: Ron Champion (1938-2007)
The actuarial profession combines an undeniable social usefulness with a distinct unfashionability and it was this combination that suited Ron Champion so well.
Ron, who died from leukaemia late in 2007, aged 69, was a stalwart actuary in private practice and in the public sector. As director, superannuation policy and management in the Victorian Treasury from 1984 until 1991, he played a central role in the reform of public sector superannuation.
In his early years at National Mutual, with no actuarial qualifications available in Australia, he studied by correspondence and became a fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries in 1964. Years later, in 1992, he was the first chairman of the advisory committee for the actuarial programme started at Melbourne University.
Held in the highest esteem by his professional colleagues, in 1993 Ron served as president of the Australian Institute of Actuaries. Before and into his retirement he served on a number of boards, including the State Insurance Office and its successor, the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA), and the Guild Group, a diverse financial operation that grew from the Pharmacists’ Guild.
He attended his final board meeting at the VMIA just days before he died, riding in on a hospital scooter — typical of the indomitable spirit with which he faced his illness.
Ron is survived by Marion, his wife and soulmate of 41 years, children Mark, Fiona and David, six adored grandsons, his mother Gwen and brother Robert.
Extract from the obituary by Mark Champion in The Age of 28 February
Ron Champion
