WAR VET’S SEARCH FOR TEEN HEROES
GOLD Coast war veteran Rob Wiseman is searching for the teenage heroes who saved him after he was stuck in bushland.
The now wheelchair-bound 73-year-old has watched the sunset daily from a hill in Nerang since he was three years old, earning the nickname “the man on the hill” by local residents.
He often collects cans and plastic bottles on his journey for his grandchildren to exchange for money.
But he found himself in trouble last Friday when he ventured into the bushland to collect bottles he had spotted.
“My tires picked up a rusted old barbed wire fence and it got caught on my back wheel,” said the former soldier, who spent four months in the Vietnam War.
“I was stuck and when trying to move I lost my diary with all my appointments. “I thought I was stuffed.”
Three teenage boys came to the war veteran’s rescue, untangling his wheel and helping him back onto the main track.
Mr Wiseman said the boys were in school uniforms – with black blazer jackets and blue shirts – and he wanted them to come forward so he could repay their kindness.
“I don’t know how I’ll repay them, I’m not sure if it’s OK to give them money but I want to thank them for what they did,” he said.
“The youth and teenagers cop a lot of criticism but there are plenty of lovely and caring young people out there in the world.”
The grandfather of 10 said he often minds his grandchildren and they’ve shown him how kind the youngest generation are.
“They threw me a surprise birthday for my 73rd last week,” he said. “It was the first time I’ve cried in a long time.
“I don’t care what anyone says, children and teenagers have as much goodness now as they ever have.”
If you are Mr Wiseman’s heroes or know who they are, contact kyle.wisniewski@news.com.au