Australia Day: Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club life member David Orchard calls for acts of kindness on Oz Day

A former Gold Coast council lifeguard says he’s been doing this one thing every Australia Day for the past three years — and he thinks every Aussie should get on board.

IT’S an idea that has nothing to with Australia Day but everything to do with being an Aussie.

Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club life member and long-time council lifeguard David Orchard is calling on people to perform an act of kindness this Australia Day.

He’s been making a point of helping out somebody on the public holiday for the past three years.

Stroke victim Stephen Wilson 71 of Broadbeach Waters watches on as David Orchard helps out by mowing his lawn. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Whether it’s having a cup of tea with the old lady next door, or mowing an old bloke’s lawn, Mr Orchard said he hoped people would also take part in the new tradition on Australia’s national day.

“It’s a good way to get people involved, they don’t have to like the date, they don’t even have to think about the date,” he said.

David Orchard wants us to use Australia Day to help those in our community who are struggling, and show them an act of kindness. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Let’s just do it on Australia Day. It’s about us asking to do something people wouldn’t necessarily ask for.”

This year he said a bunch of members from his surf club were going to jump in the club van and visit an old member who is currently in a nursing home.

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“We’re going to catch up with an old mate who put in a lot of time at the club,” he said.

“There’s so many lonely people in this world but if you just went and had a cup of tea they’d be in wraps about it.”

He said he was inspired to kick the day off after watching someone help out a homeless man.

“The whole concept of it has nothing to do with Australia Day but it’s got everything to do with being an Aussie,” he said.