Hawk got a cake for his 10th Anniversary. He’s been at it over 50 years now. Great to hear him back with the black shorts on at Sandown last Thursday, after a late call up. I bumped into his great mate down at Warrnambool on the same night. Paul “Happy” Hammond been calling just as long. Still sound good the boys. The likeable Hawk has many friends in the game and I am lucky to include myself as one of those. He was a resident of Keysborough where I live for many years before moving to the other of side of the city in the early 2000’s. Hawk and I shared many good times together. He was instrumental in getting me a leg up in the Greyhound media and I will always be most thankful for that opportunity. Ron has won many awards including the Ken Carr Medal in 2016-17 and the Denise Fysh in 2021. Here is a story by Pete Quilty on the Hawk in 1986. Plus a Video in regard to the Denise Fysh award. Ron announced his retirement from calling on September 23 2024. I have posted a video he done on RSN that day with host Michael Felgate. Plus a GRV Video with tributes from all the callers from around Australia. On the 20th of September 2025 Ron was inducted into the Victorian Hall of Fame. I have included Molly Haines tribute and the video shown on the night.
Terry Hines – Been a great caller for years …👍
Angela Modra– The BEST !! 🌴👍👍
Kel Greenough– Great man
Heather Cooke– One of nature’s gentlemen.
The Hawk Inducted into Victorian Hall of Fame
By Molly Hains
Legendary race caller Ron Hawkswell has been inducted into GRV’s Hall of Fame.
Ron called greyhounds for more than 50 years, hanging up the binoculars in August 2025.
His dedication to the sport went far beyond being the voice of greyhound racing – he served for many years on the Greyhound of the Year panel and, in 2017, was recognised with the Ken Carr Medal for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
“Ronny Hawkswell is synonymous with The Meadows and Victorian greyhound racing,” Melbourne Greyhounds CEO Scott Wuchatsch said.
In June 2025, Melbourne Greyhounds announced the launch of the Ron Hawkswell Cup (730 metres). The inaugural running of the race was won by Late Night News on 13 September.
“Our Club has never really named races in people’s honour – often dogs, but this was warranted because he has become the sound of our biggest races,” Wuchatsch said.
Before his career as a race caller, Ron worked as a clerk at the tramways, where he began calling races at Shepparton and then Wangaratta.
He was also the first caller when the Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club opened in August 1974, and is now a Life Member of the Club.
Good friend and greyhound historian Neil Brown reflected on his favourite of Ron’s calls.
“I thought he did a brilliant job of Bonjase’s Australian Cup in 1995… Bonjase burst to the lead down the back straight at Olympic Park and Ron captured the moment fantastically,” Brown said.
“He is a very popular person and I’m very proud to call him a great mate of mine. I believe he thoroughly deserves to be inducted into the Victorian Hall of Fame.”
Race caller James Van de Maat said it was Ron Hawkswell’s famous call of Whisky Assassin’s Shootout that first inspired him to take up the microphone.
“That moment captured me as a young bloke and made me want to be a race caller,” Van de Maat said.
“He’s an icon of our sport.”
