CROWDFUNDING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER GRANDAD’S HEAD

Victor Ronan and Darrelyn Ogilvie over the years. Credit: Supplied.

BY GERARD MAZZA

A Noongar woman is fundraising to support her grandfather who is unable to find housing during Perth’s rental crisis.

77-year-old Noongar Elder Victor Ronan will have to leave his Gosnells home on Wednesday as his private lease has expired.

He has applied for multiple properties but has not been able to secure one.

Mr Ronan’s granddaughter, Darrelyn Ogilvie, has started a crowdfunder to help Mr Ronan.

“We’re trying to use the funds for some storage for his property,” Ms Ogilvie said.

She also said the family were hoping to raise some money for a bond, but had not been able to find a property because “the rental market is so dire at the moment.”

Ms Ogilvie says her grandfather is well regarded in the Aboriginal community.

“For as long as I can remember, he’s always been passionate about helping the Aboriginal people who are incarcerated, particularly men,” she said.

“He’s been involved in the Aboriginal Visitors Scheme in the prisons for about fifteen years now. He’s very well known in the community within the prisons, and they all refer to him as ‘pop’ or ‘uncle’. He’s quite prominent in the Aboriginal community.”

According to CoreLogic, rental prices in Perth have increased more than 8 per cent over the last twelve months and rental vacancies are at a record low.

If you’d like to support Mr Ronan, you can donate here.