Tales that warmed hearts
Here are some of the touching stories this year that hit home
IN A YEAR of bushfires, droughts and political division, it can be easy for Toowoomba residents to forget about the great moments that brought us together.
Here are 10 tales, in no particular order, published in The
Chronicle in 2019 that are sure to warm your heart:
1. CRAIG’S DONATION
GATTON man Craig Allwood made a big impact on Toowoomba’s domestic violence service in 2019, three years after he passed away.
Mr Allwood’s family donated $200,000 from his estate to the Domestic Violence Action Centre in August, in line with his wishes before he died.
The organisation dedicated a room at its Toowoomba centre to Mr Allwood.
2. TREES PLANTED
THE fires in Pechey and Crows Nest were among the region’s most devastating natural disasters to occur in 2019.
The loss of habitat was felt by Kleinton couple Megan Thomas and Patrick Neville, who donated 700 native trees in November.
The trees will be used to rehabilitate the ecosystem around Crows Nest, as well as boost the morale of residents.
3. ALUEL’S STORY
FORMER South Sudanese refugee Aluel Akoch shared her incredible story during National Refugee Week in June, including the fact she was very nearly a child bride.
Mrs Akoch, who won’t celebrate birthdays because she doesn’t know her actual birth date, said the dreams of an education and career were almost unimaginable growing up around war and poverty.
Now settled in Australia, the mother-of-three works part-time at CatholicCare Social Services while she studies for a Certificate III in business.
4. BOY MEETS HEROES
ONE of the most touching stories of the year was also one of the simplest.
Carter Johnson’s personal idols were the men who emptied his family’s garbage.
And in April, contractor JJ Richards gave the seven-yearold a miniature rubbish truck to celebrate his birthday.
5. A LIFE CHANGED
VANDA Storie vowed she would never work again after suffering from a range of health complications, but that all changed after she got an opening with Vanguard Laundry Services.
The social enterprise, which celebrated three years of operation in December, helps get people back into work.
6. MAN ENDS SEARCH
MURRAY Campbell started this year without a job, despite a long and frustrating search which led to nothing but tears and hurt.
But the Toowoomba man with an intellectual disability managed to secure meaningful employment in 2019, after Help Training and Employment worked with Country Range Farming to line up a position.
Mr Campbell cried tears of joy in February when he was presented with his work shirt by Help CEO Greg Luck.
7. FROM NEAR-DEATH TO PREP
JORDYN Middleton celebrated her first day of school way back in January, which was almost unthinkable for her mother Tiffany four years ago.
Jordyn nearly died at 10 weeks old, after doctors diagnosed her with streptococcal bacterial meningitis and she ended up in a coma.
The disease claimed her hearing and made it hard for her to walk until about 18 months ago.
8. HELPING HOMELESS
PETS are often essential companions to people battling homelessness, and one Toowoomba vet opened his services up to the less fortunate in 2019.
Dr Paul Sheedy started offering free monthly pet checkups at the Base Services on Neil St in September, which was available to anyone currently homeless or displaced.
His services ranged from vaccinations and antibiotics up to surgery, which would take place at his Hume St surgery.
9. KOALAS RESCUED
PENNY the koala was one of the lucky native animals to be rescued from the devastating Pechey and Hampton fires earlier this month.
Found clinging to a tree with severe burns, rescuers had to use a cherry picker to bring her down and treat her.
In a pleasant twist, vets at the RSPCA Wacol wildlife hospital found a two-day-old joey in her pouch.
10. GIFT OF HEARING
ELSPETH Scarr heard Christmas carols and everyday sounds for the first time this month, after the toddler was fitted with a hearing aid.
After being born with a rare condition that affected the formation of her ear and ear canal, Elspeth was diagnosed as profoundly deaf.