UNTIL Melbourne’s most recent lockdown, Peter Bosustow had planned to jet in for a fundraiser to help him through the disastrous collapse of a lifetime home lease scheme in which he’d invested.
Now the Mandurah-based Western Australian must rely on the goodwill of the Carlton fraternity and the football community at large; the Blues’ flamboyant back-to-back Premiership player of 1981 and ’82 having now confirmed he’s been diagnosed with colon cancer and facing a series of chemotherapy sessions in the months to come.
“It’s been a bit of a shock,” said the 63 year-old Bosustow, who first experienced health issues last Christmas. “I was losing a bit of weight, which I thought was good at the time, until my doctor sent me off for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy revealed a mass, and subsequent tests revealed spots on my liver, which means it’s spread a bit. But I’ll be in the fight. I’m not going to shirk the issue.”
Bosustow is of the view that his health issues can be put down to the stresses brought on with the collapse of lifetime home lease scheme Sterling First, which cost a number of retirees their life savings, and in his case a quarter of a million dollars.
“But that’s all by the by now,” Bosustow said. "I’m in the fight now and I’m meeting it head-on. I’m positive about it all, which is the way you’ve got to be.”
A much-loved favourite of the Carlton faithful through the halcyon years at Princes Park, Bosustow and fellow Western Australian Ken Hunter sensationally impacted on the game when they crossed the Nullarbor and turned out for the David Parkin-coached Blues on the cusp of season ’81.
In just 65 games through three seasons, 'The Buzz' contributed to an extraordinary highlights reel – which included the Mark and Goal of the Year double in that maiden season – as part of an irresistible half forward line which took in Mark Maclure and Wayne Johnston.
Ultimately, the health of Peter’s father Bob, himself a 20-game Carlton player through 1955 and ’56 , prompted Peter’s untimely return to the West – and Bob was 63 when he died of leukaemia in December 1997.
Bosustow had also planned to be in town for the 40-year reunion of fellow teammates of 1981 and ’82 - sadly also postponed – but had already won the support of Carlton luminaries including Parkin and Stephen Kernahan – “the second greatest No.4” as Bosustow dryly suggested.
The Carlton legend Alex Jesaulenko is also lending Bosustow his support by promoting the My Cause crowdfunding page established by his daughter Kate. At the time of writing, the fund had raised $6300.
Carlton Members and supporters wanting to support Peter can do so via the following link – https://www.mycause.com.au/p/262303/the-legend-peter-bosustow
