Victorians’ heartwarming acts of kindness amid coronavirus chaos
From thoughtful messages of gratitude for health workers to the “birthday fairies” who surprised an 18-year-old, these are the tiny acts of kindness unfolding around Victoria amid the coronavirus chaos.
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The message is loud and clear in Langwarrin — written in coloured chalk on the pavement outside Kendal Deckert’s home — “be kind” and “thank you” to those at the coalface of the pandemic.
Drawn by her children, Alannah and Hugh Tyrrell, aged eight and 10, the messages were inspired by Ms Deckert’s partner, Ty Hanley, as both an entertaining school holiday activity for the kids and a way of showing support to neighbours and thanking health workers.
Both working in fitness, Ms Deckert and Mr Hanley are among those having to think creatively about their employment after strict COVID-19 restrictions were imposed on their industry last week, shutting much of it down. They definitely haven’t let the tough times get them down.
“We sat down together and thought about what we wanted to write, that was for the public, for the bigger picture, not just for our little family,” Ms Deckert said.
“We thought it was a nice thing we could do — people would walk past and it might put a smile on their faces. They might just feel a bit uplifted and bit more positive about things.”
Across Victoria, stories abound of neighbours shopping and cooking for each other, donations of money being left in the letterboxes of couples who have lost their jobs, and tips of up to $100 being given to struggling cafe owners for a $4 takeaway coffee.
CHEERFUL BLOOMS
Seven flower growers and 15 florists from Victoria have brought joy to hospital patients and aged care home residents across Melbourne with surprise gifts of blooms.
The flower growers, who were about to trash thousands of flowers, got together with 15 florists, who have had to close their shops during the COVID-19 shutdown, and made hundreds of fresh posies to be distributed among the elderly and those in hospital.
Belinda McDermott, from The Road Stall in Monbulk, contacted children’s charity Koala Kids and asked for help in finding appropriate recipients for the flowers.
“Had the initiative not gone ahead the flowers were all going to be mulched, not only breaking the banks of all concerned, but it was going to break their hearts too,” said Mandy Mandie from Koala Kids.
“I have learned this week florists aren’t just people who sell flowers. They have huge hearts.”
Melbourne charity queen and former Herald Sun columnist Lillian Frank (pictured), who is an Arcare resident, was among those to receive the blooms, which also went to Cabrini, Monash Children’s, Peter Mac, and The Alfred hospitals, as well as aged care facilities.
A TOAST TO FRIENDS
Friends have come to the rescue of 18-year-old Diamond “Dimmy” Kitjapanon.
The Geelong year 12 student last week cancelled her 18th birthday party at a pub and was unable to sit her driving licence test because of COVID-19 regulations.
But Ms Kitjapanon woke on Tuesday to find “the birthday fairies” had visited.
Friends had strung up posters, streamers and photos outside her family home.
She said she was not disappointed she had to party alone and was unable to drive for many months, saying: “We gotta do what we gotta do.”
GET CONNECTED
Australians will honour “loving thy neighbour” during Sunday’s celebration of Neighbour Day.
Neighbour Day is an annual celebration on the last Sunday of March aimed at creating stronger bonds.
Chelsea SES officer Phil Wall and his neighbour, Marie Callanan — a nurse at Frankston Private Hospital — have formed a special bond living near each other.
Marie has been labelled a resident “Wonder Woman”.
“It’s such a luxury to have great neighbours.” Mr Wall said.
“We were thinking of moving a little while ago, but we had such fantastic neighbours. It was one of the reasons why we stayed.
“She’s sensational and an amazing lady.”
Mr Wall has also developed strong bonds with the wider community as a volunteer with the SES for 17 years.
“We are really like one big orange family,” Mr Wall said.
“We have a real wide spread of people from a range of backgrounds and none of that means anything … we all have a common thing which is to do the right thing by the community.”
TAKING THE LEAD
Writing letters to the elderly in nursing homes, walking the neighbour’s dog and paying for a stranger’s groceries are among thousands of small gestures from big-hearted Aussies determined to help society survive the worst crisis of our lifetime.
People are offering untenanted properties for nothing, out-of-work lawyers are tutoring HSC students for free, and unemployed vets are minding the pets of overworked health care workers — and this is only the beginning.
Michelle Barry, pictured with children Conor and Emma and their neighbour’s dog, Max, is one of those families volunteering to walk dogs for those who can’t.
Michael Fox started Facebook group “Aussies helping each other out during COVID-19” to connect like-minded people wanting to lend a hand.
“The response has been a testament to the Aussie spirit,” he said.
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