When Donald Wragg was growing up in an all-male children’s home in Melbourne, there was one person who helped him through.
The 82-year-old Hoppers Crossing man remembers a boy three years his senior who got him through hard times. He was his “protector” from bullies, a fellow resident who mentored him through the early years of his life.
But after leaving the home in 1946, Donald lost contact with his friend. He had searched for him for 70 years without luck.
That all changed last Thursday morning when he flicked through his Star Weekly.
Donald saw a profile on Jim Vaux, 85, a resident at Mercy Place Wyndham, who moved to the area just five years ago.
Donald had finally found his “protector”.
After being contacted by Donald, Star Weekly reunited the childhood mates, and the two couldn’t be happier.
“Every day in my head and my heart, I’ve looked for him,” Donald said at the emotional reunion.
“I’ve looked for him in newspapers, on the internet, and finally found him.
“I don’t remember much from that home, but there’s one name I remember, and that’s Jimmy Vaux. Jimmy was always there behind me … He stood by me.
“My toes are tingling, I can’t believe this is happening.”
Jim was also thrilled to be reunited with his childhood mate.
“It’s like a ghost has come into my life from the past,” he said. “I’ve found who I am.”
Donald and Jim have exchanged contact details and plan to keep in touch.
