Pensioner warms hearts with selfless final act
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You don’t need a nugget of gold to do something nice for the world—all you need is a generous heart.
That’s the heart-warming truth behind the incredible last act of a 75-year-old Sydney pensioner named Malcolm Mawhinney.
Despite his unassuming appearance, Mr Mawhinney bequeathed a multi-million dollar house to charity in what can only be described as a final act of kindness and generosity.
The home—located at Clovelly in Sydney’s east—was left to The Rev Bill Crews Foundation, a homelessness charity, after Malcolm’s death in 2021.
Reverend Bill Crews, the foundation’s founder, was surprised to learn about the donation and claimed that he had no idea that the 75-year-old even had a multi-million dollar home.
'(Malcolm) was a lovely gentleman, always kind and gentle but he looked like one of our [homeless] guests,' Rev Crews said. 'He looked as poor as a church mouse.'
The reverend only learned about it when he fulfilled one of Mr Mawhinney’s last wishes to spread his ashes on the ‘hallowed ground’ of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It was said to be a rare privilege granted to only a few people.
The pensioner was known for sitting at the same seat every year at the SCG for the Sydney test match. In his spare time, he volunteered with Rev Crews’ foundation.
'He would come here and show movies to the homeless in our hangout hall, everything from Rambo to the Sound of Music,’ the reverend recalled.
'Towards the end, he was so frail I was worried he couldn’t carry the DVDs he’d put on,' he added. ‘But it's people like Malcolm who keep us going.’
In late August, the 279 sqm two-bedroom home was sold for $4.55 million in an auction, with the proceeds going to the foundation to feed the homeless.
It was one of the largest donations received by the reverend’s foundation, which feeds 600,000 people annually.
'The sad situation is his wonderful bequest will only keep us going for six months because, since COVID, the demand for our services has quadrupled,’ Rev Crews said.
More than that, the foundation also provides clothing, welfare, dental care, laundry services and legal help for homeless people.
Mission Australia reported that the cost-of-living crisis has left 122,000 Aussies homeless on any given night and 1,660 more people every month. If all of the country’s homeless were in one place, it would be the 18th biggest city in Australia.
Malcolm Mawhinney was a private man who liked to read and follow the news. He retired as a clerk from the Federal Department of Social Security in 1990.
He was a fan of cricket, Australian League Football and rugby. He was also an avid supporter of the Sydney Swans and Wests Magpies.
Reverend Crews described him as the ‘loveliest man in the world’.
‘He just quietly came, did what he did, and went home. He was a person who never made a fuss, very kind, very gentle, and very loving,’ he added.
Aside from volunteering at the foundation on Mondays, he also volunteered with the Museums of History New South Wales.
According to friends, he spent afternoons enjoying a few schooners at the Clovelly Bowling Club. When he returned home, he often had a frugal dinner of baked beans.
John Cottle, one of the said friends, shared that Mr Mawhinney lived ‘hand to mouth’, and refused to let go of his only asset, the house, despite suggestions to do so.
‘Malcolm, you are the richest bloke in Clovelly because of the property’s views,’ Mr Cottle reportedly told his friend.
‘“Get a reverse mortgage, if Rev Bill gets a couple of thousand less, it won’t matter.” But he wouldn’t be in it,’ he shared.
Eight months before he passed away, Mr Cottle and other friends took him for lunch at a restaurant to celebrate his 75th birthday. Mr Mawhinney told him it was the first birthday party he’d been given his entire life.
Very few photos exist of the pensioner, but he occasionally sits in the sunroom of his home. Google Street View captured him sitting on a plastic chair, reading.
And that’s why we’ll never forget his remarkable story: It’s a reminder that no matter how small you may perceive yourself to be, there’s always a way to lend a helping hand—no matter how much or how little we can spare.
Mr Mawhinney’s generosity will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
That’s the heart-warming truth behind the incredible last act of a 75-year-old Sydney pensioner named Malcolm Mawhinney.
Despite his unassuming appearance, Mr Mawhinney bequeathed a multi-million dollar house to charity in what can only be described as a final act of kindness and generosity.
The home—located at Clovelly in Sydney’s east—was left to The Rev Bill Crews Foundation, a homelessness charity, after Malcolm’s death in 2021.
Malcolm Mawhinney left his home to a homeless foundation after he passed away. Credit: Google Maps
Reverend Bill Crews, the foundation’s founder, was surprised to learn about the donation and claimed that he had no idea that the 75-year-old even had a multi-million dollar home.
'(Malcolm) was a lovely gentleman, always kind and gentle but he looked like one of our [homeless] guests,' Rev Crews said. 'He looked as poor as a church mouse.'
The reverend only learned about it when he fulfilled one of Mr Mawhinney’s last wishes to spread his ashes on the ‘hallowed ground’ of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It was said to be a rare privilege granted to only a few people.
The pensioner was known for sitting at the same seat every year at the SCG for the Sydney test match. In his spare time, he volunteered with Rev Crews’ foundation.
'He would come here and show movies to the homeless in our hangout hall, everything from Rambo to the Sound of Music,’ the reverend recalled.
'Towards the end, he was so frail I was worried he couldn’t carry the DVDs he’d put on,' he added. ‘But it's people like Malcolm who keep us going.’
In late August, the 279 sqm two-bedroom home was sold for $4.55 million in an auction, with the proceeds going to the foundation to feed the homeless.
It was one of the largest donations received by the reverend’s foundation, which feeds 600,000 people annually.
'The sad situation is his wonderful bequest will only keep us going for six months because, since COVID, the demand for our services has quadrupled,’ Rev Crews said.
More than that, the foundation also provides clothing, welfare, dental care, laundry services and legal help for homeless people.
Mission Australia reported that the cost-of-living crisis has left 122,000 Aussies homeless on any given night and 1,660 more people every month. If all of the country’s homeless were in one place, it would be the 18th biggest city in Australia.
Malcolm Mawhinney was a private man who liked to read and follow the news. He retired as a clerk from the Federal Department of Social Security in 1990.
He was a fan of cricket, Australian League Football and rugby. He was also an avid supporter of the Sydney Swans and Wests Magpies.
Reverend Crews described him as the ‘loveliest man in the world’.
‘He just quietly came, did what he did, and went home. He was a person who never made a fuss, very kind, very gentle, and very loving,’ he added.
Aside from volunteering at the foundation on Mondays, he also volunteered with the Museums of History New South Wales.
According to friends, he spent afternoons enjoying a few schooners at the Clovelly Bowling Club. When he returned home, he often had a frugal dinner of baked beans.
John Cottle, one of the said friends, shared that Mr Mawhinney lived ‘hand to mouth’, and refused to let go of his only asset, the house, despite suggestions to do so.
‘Malcolm, you are the richest bloke in Clovelly because of the property’s views,’ Mr Cottle reportedly told his friend.
‘“Get a reverse mortgage, if Rev Bill gets a couple of thousand less, it won’t matter.” But he wouldn’t be in it,’ he shared.
Eight months before he passed away, Mr Cottle and other friends took him for lunch at a restaurant to celebrate his 75th birthday. Mr Mawhinney told him it was the first birthday party he’d been given his entire life.
Very few photos exist of the pensioner, but he occasionally sits in the sunroom of his home. Google Street View captured him sitting on a plastic chair, reading.
Mr Mawhinney was captured by Google Streetview in the sunroom of his home, sitting on a plastic chair. Credit: Google Maps
And that’s why we’ll never forget his remarkable story: It’s a reminder that no matter how small you may perceive yourself to be, there’s always a way to lend a helping hand—no matter how much or how little we can spare.
Mr Mawhinney’s generosity will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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