Paying it forward

MANY years ago in this town I learned about the power of paying it forward.

That was when our town burnt down and the Mayor of Flowerdale drove over and offered much needed peer support and disaster recovery advice.

It was only a few years later that we paid it forward by organising our own relief efforts – through our local scout troop, community groups and volunteer bushfire brigades.

Some years ago, I flew supplies to Sydney courtesy of our local scouts for the bushfires.

I recently caught up with Andrew Triu, a young man who organised convoys for a year after the fires.

And now, years later, I’m still paying it forward in the COVID-19 emergency for people with disability and for folks caught up in the Queensland and NSW floods.

That’s because of Toodyay, not me.

Our town taught me how to pay it forward. Thanks, Toodyay.

Samantha Connor
Toodyay