Ranald’s positively inspirational

By Marc McGowan
RANALD Webster is Pakenham through and through.
He grew up in the community and, despite leaving the area for an extended stint after World War II, Mr Webster, now 85, returned to Pakenham in 1980.
“Pakenham is my town,” he said.
Mr Webster played for the Pakenham Football Club, was a regular on the squash courts in the region and has also been a member of the local dance band for most of his life.
“Country people are fantastic. Everybody knows everybody and if you’re in trouble somebody’s on your doorstep to help out,” he said.
It is a doctrine that the local identity has embraced after a tumultuous period during the Ash Wednesday fires proved his adage correct.
Working as a volunteer for the CFA during the disastrous fires, Mr Webster was severely burnt and was told he was extremely fortunate to survive. It was only through his strong will and the generosity of others that he was able to pull through.
Mr Webster has since devoted his life to giving back in any way he can.
He has been involved with The Alfred hospital and Pakenham Red Cross, and was a member of the Pakenham Volunteer Care Group for 12 years before his eyesight began to wane.
“They wanted a treasurer that could read for some reason or another,” Mr Webster laughed.
Despite his impaired vision, he still manages to work for Red Cross, with his sister, Rita Jack, alongside to write the receipts when he goes doorknocking. Mr Webster’s work for The Alfred includes speaking to burns victims and helping them maintain a positive outlook.
“I talk to people at the burns unit and just say ‘This is what I looked like then and this is what I look like now. If I can do it, you can do it’,” he said.
His efforts were recognised in 2003 when he was named the Victorian Senior of the Year.
“That was a highlight, but it’s not something that you look for,” Mr Webster said.
“You do it because you want to do it because people have helped you.
“As I say to all these people who are burnt, it’s no good sitting back feeling sorry for yourself, life goes on and it’s up to you whether you want to be a part of it – it’s as simple as that.”