Old Bastards lend a hand

By Rebecca Fraser
WALKING to and from the letterbox used to be just too much for Ray Corlett of Dandenong West.
He said he had “completely had it” by the time he got back inside.
But that all changed when the International Order of Old Bastards presented the 73yearold emphysema sufferer with a motorised scooter.
Officer local Ian Arrell, the honorary secretary of the International Order of Old Bastards, said the order was founded in 1948 and helped raise funds for people in need.
Dandenong RSL member Mr Corlett said he was extremely happy and overwhelmed by the gesture, and the scooter was far more that he had ever expected.
“I still can’t get over it.
“Before I had a walker but couldn’t get far. Now the scooter will make all the difference.
“Yesterday (Sunday) I drove down to the end of my street and showed it off to my neighbours, who thought it was great.
“In the future I will be able to go down to Dandenong West and do an odd bit of shopping or go to the chemist or the doctor,” he said.
Mr Corlett said the presentation came about after he mentioned to his good friend and fellow Dandenong RSL member Eddie Forsyth that he was having real trouble getting around.
“He is a very good friend of mine and just lives down the street.
“He got the whole ball rolling and I just can’t believe that this has happened.
“You just don’t expect people to do something like this for you,” he said.
Mr Corlett said he would have the motorised scooter for the rest of his days.
“I have had emphysema for the past eight years and it is getting steadily worse and worse and my back also gives way.
“The doctors say there is nothing they can do.
“When I first started I had three bottles of oxygen a month, then it went to four and now it is six.
“I am also on a ventilator,” he said.
Mr Arrell said the aim of their organisation was to present items to those in need and they were very pleased to make the presentation to Mr Corlett.
“Rather than give cash to people, we have directly paid rent, electricity, phone and gas bills.
“We provide food vouchers, and in recent months we have provided computers for children and even a pair of safety boots to a young man so that he was able to start a job,” he said.