Scoreboard Pete is working hard to be back in Ballarat by the start of the footy season.
Two months after being airlifted to Melbourne in a critical condition, Pete Ciaston is again his old self but is still in rehabilitation.
Shane Manley from the Ballarat Swans, where ‘Scoreboard Pete’ is a beloved figure, said he had been visited by people from the club every week.
“The only issue now for him is getting to walk steadily,” he said.
“It’s essentially physical rehab.”
Mr Ciaston came off his bike at the roundabout on the corner of Dana Street and Albert Street on November 16 last year.
Mr Ciaston started as a scoreboard operator 20 years ago – earning the 51-year-old his name – and has become one of the Ballarat Football League’s best-known faces while carrying water across the grades.
Mr Manley said Mr Ciaston was very appreciative of all the community support.
“The support’s been amazing. All the messages...have been passed on to him. He’s been very thankful for it,” he said.
Mr Ciaston received many messages of support from the football world and beyond after the accident.
The Courier’s online message board and Facebook was where many people said they were thinking of him.
Craig Grant from Wendouree wrote on behalf of the Redan ‘old boys’.
“Get well soon Pete, one of the great characters of the BFL,” he said.
Kylie from Delacombe paid tribute to his character.
“Pete is such a caring, loving and hard working guy. Wishing you a speedy recovery Pete,” she said.
Mr Ciaston has been at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Kew for over a month, Mr Manley said, and was chomping at the bit to get back to Ballarat.
The BFL season will restart mid-April.
Mr Manley said he was in no doubt the club favourite will be back and healthy enough for the sidelines by then.
“It's uncertain when exactly he’ll be back, but they hope to bring him back to Ballarat to continue his rehab,” he said.
The challenge partly comes from getting used to walking again after two months in a wheelchair.
Mr Manley said the next challenge would be helping Mr Ciaston find a permanent house on his return, hopefully in the Alfredton area.
