Rudi was a long time walker with the group however, in August last year he suffered a serious stroke which left him unable to join in.

Rudi walked into the Friday coffee catch up and the group immediately started to clap and cheer for their friend.

Rudi ‘s stroke was an unusual type and affected his spine rather than his brain. This happens to less than 5% of stroke patients.

Daughter Meredith describes the stroke has having “ring barked his spine.”

It left him with weakness in one leg and his arms, although full cognitive abilities.

“It doesn’t affect his brain,” Meredith said.

“He does have movement in his limbs but he is weak,” she said.

Rudi bought a house in 1996 at Lake Tabourie and moved down to the area permanently in 2002.

He will now be selling his house and moving to Sydney with his daughter who will become his full time carer.

Rudi was a regular walker with the Happy Feet Group and organiser Tony Gerzanics said until the stroke he had been in excellent health.

“It was sudden,” Tony said.

Walkers celebrated the guest appearance of their friend with an extra long coffee and catch up session.