Community rallies to help one of their own

THE Gold Coast community is rallying to try to help a business owner after hearing he had to close his 106-year-old store due to border closures and financial losses.

Currumbin’s Freeman Organic Farm owner David Freeman (inset) announced on Saturday the hard closure of the Tomewin Border Gate was the significant factor in his customer decrease.

“Sadly since the Qld Government closed the Tomewin border gate in March 2020, our customers have dropped off and drive by traffic by 80 per cent,” he said.

“I persisted for the last 18 months paying my four casual staff with my entire army pension, despite not receiving a cent from the state government and no JobKeeper from the federal government.”

On hearing the news, Gold Coast local Maleika Halpin created a GoFundMe page to help recoup some of Mr Freeman’s pension money.

“I’m a Gold Coast local and like you, Freeman’s Organic farm holds a very special place in my heart,” she said.

“I wanted to start a simple GoFundMe with the intention of helping David recover some of his pension and help him get through this season of uncertainty.

“David has given endlessly to his community, bolstering local, organic farming, providing jobs, employment and nutrition to thousands of locals since taking over his family farm.

“I would argue that Freeman’s Organic Farm is a pillar of our community,” she said.

More than $2000 was raised within 24 hours.

“In the spirit of Christmas let’s give back, even a small amount, to a man whose given our community so much,” Ms Halpin said.