ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Local 30-year-old bar manager and permanent stay-at-home son, Fraser Denning, has stunned friends and family by taking annual leave from his job to attend an inauguration party in Washington D.C.
Fraser, who still lives in the palatial Betoota Grove home that is known locally by it’s name, not the street number, jetted off last week to witness the historic event while proudly donning a “Make Australia Great Again” hat, ordered off eBay during a particularly uninspired shift at the Lake Betoota Yacht Club. His parents, Ian and Margot Denning, are reportedly mortified.
“We’re not sure where he gets it from,” said Margot, sipping a 10am bellini on yacht club’s deck.
“He was supposed to be getting some direction in life after Whooton (School). Instead, he’s over there freezing his backside off in Washington, surrounded by people he found on some internet forum.”
Fraser, a South Betoota Polytechnic School alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts, has never lived out of home and remains comfortably employed as bar manager of the yacht club, a position his father secured for him.
“It’s character-building,” Ian Denning explained.
“Plus, it’s a lot easier than explaining why our son is unemployed to the other members.”
Despite having little disposable income, Fraser scraped together the cash for a last-minute trip to the U.S., where he’s reportedly been seen milling around with a smattering of “like-minded patriots” from Idaho in a car park.
Unfortunately for Fraser, his grand plans to stand in the sleet and witness democracy in action fell through when the event was moved inside.
“I flew all this way for a big screen?” he posted on social media, garnering three likes and one laughing reaction from his old Whooton rugby teammate, who now works in private equity.
Fraser’s parents are said to be relieved he’ll be back in time for Tuesday lunch at the club but are worried this could spark a new wave of politically-charged excursions.
“We’re hoping he starts saving for something more normal, like the Lions tour,” Margot sighed.
More to come.
