Ramon was born and raised in Spotswood, Victoria, joining the Navy in 1975 as an apprentice. After completing his trade as a shipwright, he studied engineering, graduating from RMIT with a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering in 1988. Spending over 10 years at sea in a variety of ships including aircraft carriers, destroyers and tankers, he rose to be the Marine Engineer Officer in the guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane. Following a period living and working in the USA, he finally retired from the navy in 2005 to pursue a second career as a consulting engineer, having served nearly 31 years. Ramon has lived in many parts of Australia and has been sailing for about 25 years. Living with his wife, Pamela, in Five Dock, NSW he is still active in the marine industry and has four children (all adults) from a previous marriage.