Jane Sayner, a 74-year-old woman, had been searching for a home for quite some time before she came across a beautiful property in St Albans, located in the north-western region of Melbourne, more than 23 years ago. She was immediately drawn to the listing in the local newspaper and realized it was the perfect place for her. Over the past two decades, she had paid $200 each week to her landlord, John Perrett. He was a well-respected member of the community, a pharmacist, and a philanthropist who never demanded additional payments from Sayner. She described him as a fair and kind landlord.
When Sayner first moved into the house, there was nothing in the yard. However, being a passionate gardener, she decided to add some plants to it and transformed it into a beautiful, colorful garden. Despite being in a nursing home and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Perrett stayed in touch with Sayner, admiring the care she showed towards his property.
Then, one day, Perrett made an astounding announcement that left Sayner stunned. He had decided to leave the property to her, free of charge. Sayner was initially skeptical, wondering if she had misunderstood Perrett’s statement. But it was indeed true. After more than two decades of observing how much Sayner loved his property and cared for it like her own, Perrett decided to gift her the property.
This incredible gesture by Perrett brought tears to Sayner’s eyes, and she couldn’t believe her luck. She had always thought of the property as her home, and now, it was officially hers. Sayner was grateful for the kindness and generosity of her former landlord, who had become a dear friend to her. The house, with its beautiful garden and memories of Perrett, would always hold a special place in her heart.
The old lady who had finally achieved her dream of owning her own home was overjoyed. This was a significant turning point for her as it would allow her to retire after years of struggling to make ends meet. The security of owning her own home allowed her to save money and live a more comfortable life.
But John Perrett, the man who had gifted her the property, had other possessions. It turned out that Perrett was a billionaire at the time of his death in September 2020, something that had gone unnoticed by Sayer.
Perrett was an only child with no close relatives, and he never got married. He worked as a neighborhood pharmacist for many years before selling the business and investing his money wisely in stocks. This smart investment decision allowed him to accumulate a vast fortune, which he used to benefit others.
Perrett’s philanthropy extended beyond just gifting Sayer the property. The local hospital inherited over $19 million from him after his death. This act of generosity left an indelible mark on those who knew him.
Royal Melbourne Hospital Professor Nigel Toussiant remarked that words could hardly describe how selfless and giving Perrett was. Thirty years before his death, Perrett had received a transplant from the hospital, and he had such a wonderful experience with them that he wanted to give back to the hospital in any way he could.
Sayer expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her former landlord, who had not only gifted her the property but had also left behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. She remembered to thank him personally on a regular basis, and his memory would always be cherished by those whose lives he touched.