@Normal:Shonasea Peni, centre rear, and friends cared for Yeroa Bindi as he lost his battle with mesothelioma. 52956
By Casey Neill
THE hills community has rallied around a dear friend to fulfil his final wish.
Yeroa Bindi died at Shonasea Peni’s Selby home on 9 May this year.
The 59-year-old succumbed to mesothelioma following a six-month battle with the asbestos-caused cancer.
“Our beautiful friend died surrounded by loving friends and family,” Ms Peni said.
“Our community has been an amazing gift at this time.”
Ms Peni, Maitri Housiaux and Martin McKinnon were among a team of seven primary carers and more than 40 volunteers who helped Mr Bindi die at home with dignity.
“His heart was definitely set on coming back to the hills and dying among the trees,” Ms Peni said.
Every meal was cooked, firewood was donated, “and childcare, laundry, housework, moral support, cakes and cuppas were all provided free by locals,” Ms Peni said.
“The amazing support meant we could look after Yeroa to the best of our abilities and help achieve his wish of dying in the Dandenongs.”
Locals even decorated a cardboard coffin Mr Bindi ordered from Byron Bay.
Neighbours never complained about extra cars parked on the street and Upwey Doctors, Eastern Palliative Care and the Royal District Nursing Service were “amazing”.
“We’re quite unconventional,” Ms Peni said.
“They were willing to meet us with what we wanted to do.”
The Scottish-born Mr Bindi and his parents travelled to Australia by boat when he was a child.
He met Ms Peni in 1989 and joined her in the hills between 2000 and 2005.
“He loved it up here,” Ms Peni said.
“He walked in Sherbrooke Forest almost every day. It’s where he sorted his head out when it needed sorting out.”
Mr Bindi left the hills to travel and was about to open a shiatsu school in Bali when he became ill.
He returned to Selby last November and doctors diagnosed him with mesothelioma. He’d been exposed to asbestos 30 years ago while working as an electrician.
Ms Peni – a volunteer co-ordinator – created rosters, Mr McKinnon provided spiritual care and Ms Housiaux drew from her nursing training to help Mr Bindi die at home.
“We were doing 18 hour days just looking after him,” Ms Peni said. “Dying of mesothelioma is not pretty and it’s very painful.”
“But people came and played live music to him who’d never met him before.”
“I liken this place to Northern Exposure – the TV show – or SeaChange.”
“It’s just full of absolutely amazing characters.”
Ms Peni would like Mr Bindi’s death to be recorded in a book to help others.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the book can call the Mail on 9736 1044.
