Stranded truck driver met with huge generosity at Qld border

After facing a “feeling of helplessness”, business owners caught between Queensland border rules and Covid testing delays have been met with an outpouring of generosity.

There has been a heartwarming end to a border debacle for a Tasmanian couple whose business was in a bind over Christmas.

Tim Phillips and Karen Brock run a tissue culture laboratory in northern Tasmania.

Mr Phillips was stuck at the border in Northern NSW for almost a week in a bid to access vital supplies from Queensland.

But with the help of some kind-hearted people, he is on his way back home with his supplies on board.

Ms Brock said there had been an overwhelming response from people offering to lend a hand.

Mr Phillips, who avoided the east coast areas considered hotspots by the Tasmanian government, tried to cross the border at Goondiwindi last week.

He still hasn’t received his result from an initial PCR (nose and throat) Covid test which he took in Narrabri.

He then travelled to Tweed Heads and took a second PCR test at The Tweed Hospital, but waited more than 48 hours for a result.

Desperate to get the supplies home before their business winds up in the new year, the couple appealed for assistance from cross-border truckies.

Ms Brock said someone lent on their network to have a friend bring the pallets south to Mr Phillips.

They were able to use a local brickyard and forklift, she said.

Outside of those who physically helped, Ms Brock said there had been an overwhelming offer of support.

Ms Brock said the “feeling of helplessness” had been a challenge in the past week.

The Covid-19 testing queue at The Tweed Hospital on Monday, December 27, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

“We’re pretty resilient, we’ve had a lot of knock backs being in agriculture,” she said.

“You can’t do anything; you don’t know when it’s going to end.

“If Queensland has put the edict on, they should be testing at the border themselves, not putting the pressure on another state.”

Mr Phillips was meanwhile having another test on Tuesday ahead of his attempt to return back to Tasmania.

It will be his third in about a week.

While it’s been an exhausting time for the couple and their business, Ms Brock said she was heartened by the helpfulness of the local community.

“I’m sort of overwhelmed by the generosity of people,” she said.

“It’s just been such a nice feeling to know the Australian spirit’s true and strong.

“It’s priceless; it really is amazing.”