From bush to bayside

Published: 

2 December 2024 4:12PM

'I’m a bit of a joke around here because I say, "I must live 51,135 days, no ifs, no buts." That means I’ll be 140 years old.'

In his life, Ron has been a country boy turned bush surveyor, an iron ore driller, a sales manager, and a greyhound trainer. He’s rescued lost workers in the desert, escaped death from exploding drillers, broken sales records, and spent time in every corner of Australia.

He jokes about writing a book – but with so many stories to choose from, finding himself homeless at the age of 80 probably wouldn’t make the final cut.

When he was asked to leave his rental home of 9 years to make way for the landlord’s family, Ron couldn’t find an affordable alternative as a pensioner and spent months living in his car with his 3 beloved greyhounds.

Ron put his belongings in storage and camped in various places, including the bayside waterfront, where ocean swims replaced showers. He also reluctantly had to put down his elderly dogs, which were unable to be adopted.

'I miss them every day,' Ron says.

Ron had no idea there was help available until he met 2 brothers who were also trying to get a house, and they told him to visit the Bayside Housing Service Centre (HSC).

'The girls in there are terrific, just terrific,' says Ron. 'I’d go in there every day, make them laugh and ask if they had anything for me yet.'

Ron was linked with Footprints Community, which provided short-term motel accommodation. He then moved into crisis accommodation at the Redland Bay Aged Care facility, which was leased by our department and managed by Mangrove Housing.

Now, he has a 1-bedroom unit of his own in a small social housing complex in Manly, not far from his son and daughter-in-law. He’s a familiar sight in the suburb, walking up to 10 kilometres a day and regularly wading along the waterfront.

'I love this area, it reminds me of being a country boy taking the Puffing Billy into Manly, Sydney, with my brothers and sister to stay with my Aunty Betsy. We knew that meant rides on the ferry, a trip to Luna Park – can you imagine how excited we were?'

Ron says he still keeps in touch with the HSC team that helped him.

'You couldn’t fault the team at Bayside HSC in any way. They’re just terrific,' Ron says. 'They even made me check in with them every day when I went on a big road trip recently. They care and tell me I’m a very special person.’

If you or someone you know needs housing help

Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or contact your local Housing Service Centre.

If you are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, contact the Homeless Hotline for free on 1800 474 753 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Find out more about housing help and support.