A few weeks ago, 65 homes were destroyed in a bushfire that rampaged through the town of Tathra in the Bega Valley District Shire.
In a beautiful display of selflessness, a number of volunteers from Western Sydney organisation Sydney Youth Connect drove six hours in one day in order to cook 1,000 free sausgaes and kebabs for those who suffered in the natural disaster.
“I would just like to say thank you for all the warm messages that have flooded in from all over the country”, a spokesperson for the group wrote on Facebook, after their actions were justly celebrated widely on social media. “The intention was not to attract any attention, but the actions of Sydney Youth Connect volunteers has resulted in overwhelming positive messages that we hope lifts the spirit of all Australians.
“Sydney Youth Connect was honoured in being able to extend a hand of support to the people of Tathra. The people there were very welcoming and warm and we wish them the best in this difficult time.”
I reached out to them this morning to ask what prompted this act of good will, and they were — not surprisingly — humble in their response.
“When we saw the people affected in Tathra losing their homes, it was heartbreaking and wanted to extend a hand in anyway possible, even if that meant taking some water, sweets and a BBQ for the community.
“The intention was never to gain attention, it was never about Sydney Youth Connect, but sometimes these things cannot be hidden from current technology.”
The reverberations of this BBQ have gone far past the practical, helping to open the eyes of some of the area’s more bigoted residents.
“My dad was and probably is still to some extent the most racist man I know”, wrote one woman on the BIG4 Tathra Beach Holiday Park FB page, “but he lost his home, these men approached him, opened their hearts and my father spent a full hour with them.
“I thank you all for coming and being so generous and caring to us all but most of all opening my father’s eyes and making him realise there is good in everyone.. He has definitely walked away with a very different opinion and a bigger belly.”
What a beautiful story, and prove positive that kindness is like a perfume that, when you spray it on others, you can’t help but get a little bit on yourself. Or something.
To learn more about Sydney Youth Connect or to donate to their cause, check out their Facebook page or their website – and while you’re there, tell them how great they are .
https://www.facebook.com/big4tathrabeach/posts/10157871456596980:0
