PEOPLE came from all over the world to celebrate the 97th birthday of a local larrikin.
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Ron Maitland is the father of Yvonne Springett and father-in-law of Tony Springett who moved to the Highlands in the early 1980s.
Mr Maitland is a man with a rich history from growing up in the Great Depression, to soldiering in World War II to snooker antics with his mates in retirement.
In the years since, he has written a book "No mountain too high" that details his daring escape from an Italian prisoner of war camp over the Monte Moro Pass into Switzerland where he met the love of his life, Ella.
"Dad had to propose to her out of a dictionary because she didn't speak English," Mrs Springett said.
Ella was one of the first war brides to come to Australia on a ship, but the connection to Switzerland was one Mr Maitland would nurture.
Thirty of his closest friends and family, many of which made the journey from Switzerland for the occasion, gathered at Royal Bar and Dining in Bowral to celebrate his incredible life.