The western suburbs were once a blank spot on the map for me.
I was completely lost as I took my first drive down the Western Ring Road, but I was glad to find my destination.
This story is about an amazing lady living a 30-minute drive down the Westgate Freeway.
Her name is Robyn. She seems a normal patron of the western suburbs but has been an extraordinary influence on me and a select few others.
Not long after one of the happiest days of my life – having my name called out in the 2012 AFL national draft – I was fortunate to be accepted into Robyn’s home after making the long trip down from the country.
She opened her house to me, giving me a bed to stay in and a home while beginning my journey in the AFL.
Not too long after joining the club, pre-season training got the better of me. I was tiring fast.
But Robyn saw me right.
She is a hard worker, but as soon as she got home from work, dinner was under way. I was no real help, with limited cooking skills and next to no energy.
One of Robyn’s close relatives had a major health scare while I was living in her house. She had sleepless nights and long days but never revealed this to me at the time. She would go straight to the hospital from work but always came home with a smile.
Her strength astounded me. That wasn’t her only attribute.
The day I had moved in, I was a young 18-year-old making the transition from high school and oblivious to the real world.
With Robyn’s guidance I was shown what it was like to be a good person in this world. Robyn is a great person and a role model.
BULLDOGS IN FOCUS
THE PLAYERS
Daniel Giansiracusa | A family affair
Tom Liberatore | Keeper of the kennel
Tory Dickson | Fatherhood and football
Jason Tutt | My best moment so far
Mitchell Honeychurch | My first six months
Jordan Roughead | Still living the dream
Tom Campbell | Heartbeat of the West
PETER GORDON
