Autobarn Narre Warren employees Craig McCallum and Gavin Sheedy were more than happy to help heartbroken teenager Troy Webster, with dad Wayne, whose car was stolen just a day after it was registered. By Alison NoonanA NARRE Warren South teenager whose beloved Holden was cruelly stolen the day after it was registered has been given a new car.
Troy Webster, 17, used his life savings to purchase and restore an old VB Commodore.
In and out of hospital battling diabetes, epilepsy, depression, bulimia and with two knee reconstructions, the young car enthusiast was “the happiest he had been in a long time” after working for months to put his vehicle on the road.
However, Troy spiralled back into depression following the theft of his pride and joy from Fountain Gate Shopping Centre as he shopped for a Father’s Day present.
The car contained his vital diabetes medication and younger brother’s football grand final premiership medal and jumper.
Troy’s mother Margueritte last week told the News the devastation caused by the theft was horrendous.
“He took a backwards step,” she said.
“This was the first positive we’d had with him for some time and it was snatched from him in an instant.
“It was more than just the car they took – it was his hopes and dreams.”
But two random acts of kindness this week gave Troy a second chance to renew his shattered dreams of getting back on the road.
A Narre Warren man generously donated a VB Commodore, while Autobarn Narre Warren provided Troy with a $200 voucher to purchase a new car alarm.
The Narre Warren resident, who wants to remain anonymous, said he read of Troy’s heartbreak and was more than happy to lend a helping hand.
“My wife’s parents gave us the car when we were short a car but it had been sitting on our nature strip for ages,” the man said.
“It is in good condition but we weren’t going to use it. We just hadn’t gotten around to taking it to the wreckers.”
The man said the car was too good to throw away and thought it would be perfect for Troy to restore to its former glory.
“We’re not using it so I thought we might as well give it to Troy,” he said.
“He was pretty happy. He’s already started working on it. It’s just fantastic to be able to help someone like that,” he said.
Autobarn Narre Warren owner/manager Gavin Sheedy said his crew jumped at the chance to “do something to make things right” for Troy.
“He had already gone through enough in his life and to have that happen to him was just terrible,” he said.
“So we thought it would be nice to get together and help him out.”
Troy said he was ‘stoked’ when he heard the good news and said he would be fitting his new car with a “big, loud” car alarm to ward off wouldbe thieves.
“I am rapt. I’m so happy,” Troy said.
“I didn’t think I would get another car. It would have taken me more than a year to save for another one. This car is pretty much exactly the same as my old one. It needs a little bit of work but I’m more than happy to do it.
“I’m going to use my voucher to get the loudest car alarm I can find,” he said.
“I’m going to make sure this one doesn’t get stolen.”
