Woori Yallock resident Judith McGrath with her car that was crushed by a tree last Thursday.By Monique Ebrington
WOORI Yallock president Judith McGrath had a crushing start to the year when a tree in her front yard fell on her car last Thursday 21 January.
Ms McGrath’s godson Rob Taylor had bought her the Daewoo Cielo just five days before as a gift. Her previous car was a write-off after being hit by an uninsured driver on 22 January 2008.
With the strong winds in Woori Yallock that day Ms McGrath says she consciously parked her car in a spot where she thought it would be the safest.
Ms McGrath had just sat down for a cuppa, after running errands in her car, when she heard a loud noise.
After running outside to find half her car under a tree she says that she was more upset at having to tell Mr Taylor what had happened than losing the car.
“I burst into tears when I saw the car. I just thought, what was I going to tell Rob. He had just delivered it Saturday and I had already organised to drive to see my cousin who has cancer,” she said.
When Mr Taylor received the call from his godmother he initially thought she was over exaggerating the extent of the damage.
“She had cancer and has been through hell and back. I thought I would do a good turn and did up the little car for her,” Mr Taylor said.
“She bawled her eyes out that she had a set of wheels again and could go out and help people. It was a life-line for her.”
As local SES volunteers arrived to clear away the tree Ms McGrath says her godson seemed more concerned about her than the car.
“He’s my knight in shining armour and he always takes care of me. He wasn’t terribly worried about the car, he was more worried about me,” she said.
Ms McGrath, who is treasurer for the Country Women’s Association, and a breast cancer survivor, says despite yet another bad start to the year, she’s keeping it all in perspective.
“It’s not a good start to the year but I’m alive, that’s the main thing. I thought, the cancer couldn’t get me so the tree’s not,” she said.
Despite consistent bad luck when it comes to cars, and being unable to afford another car, Ms McGrath jokes that she is already preparing herself for 2010.
“If I get a new car I think it’ll have to be a tank and I’m going to lock myself up at home this time next year,” she laughed.
