This is not a café respite centre: Surf Café controversy
A callous café owner? Or a business man concerned about the customer’s welfare?
One incident, two different versions that became public when they were posted on social media.
In the first version, the owner of the Terrigal Surf Café on the New South Wales central coast banned an elderly man using a breathing apparatus and walker from the premises, telling him it wasn’t a “respite centre”.
The man at the centre of the story is Len Fuller, 84. He went to the café, sitting outside listening to a busker. His daughter and son-in-law took the dog for a walk on the beach.
Fuller’s daughter Penelope Beveridge explained it all on Facebook.
“When we returned the owner of the Terrigal Surf Café came out and screamed abuse at us for leaving him there as it is bad for business, he is too old to be left alone and they’re not a respite centre plus he doesn’t appreciate an old man sitting there with a concentrator for breathing,” she posted.
The story went viral. It has been shared more than 5500 times.
Inevitably, it was quickly picked up by the newspapers.
But the café owner had a different story, claiming he was concerned for Mr Fuller’s welfare
“I stand by what transpired and feel that as a person I contribute to the community and add to its betterment,” the café’s post read.
“Simply, the old gentleman was never asked to leave. Fact. He had come to the cafe on other occasions and the same thing happened every time.
“The man and woman sat him down, they ordered him a coffee and then left. Now keep in mind the older man has a walking frame, oxygen bottle and can’t see that well.
“After time they come back, collect him and go, don’t order anything just go.”
At least with social media, the public gets two sides of the story.
by Leon Gettler, December 1st 2016
