It was a great example of generosity, selfless volunteering and good fortune all coming together to transform the kitchen at the Frontier Services Mount Isa RAFS team office.

A Work Party was organised for early August by volunteers Ian and Fay Laurie to do some work at the Mount Isa RAFS office. Four volunteers were set to come and install a new kitchen for the Mount Isa RAFS team which was very much in need, along with other maintenance and repair jobs.

It was going to be a big job, demolishing the old kitchen and installing a new one, especially for a small group of people.

Work Party volunteers volunteering at Mount Isa RAFS the team with the new kitchen.

When Ian and Fay were travelling to the job, they met fellow outback travellers Gary, a retired builder, and his wife Julie. They got talking about their travels and Ian and Fay talked about the purpose of their trip, and how they were giving practical volunteer support to Frontier Services. Then, Gary and Julie made the very generous offer of diverting their travels to come and help.

Together, buoyed by the extra offer of help and some very skilled hands on the job, the expanded team worked on the new kitchen.

“There is no amount of appreciation, gifts or money that could fully show our gratitude to Ian, Fay, Milton, Roslyn, Gary and Julie for the amazing work they did demolishing and rebuilding a kitchen, tidying a huge garden, sewing curtains and children’s gear and doing a number of other odds and ends around the RAFS building in Mount Isa,” said Tania Holmes from Mt Isa RAFS.

On top of this, a generous donation towards the repairs made it all possible. The Balmoral UCA Adult Fellowship gave a donation of $1000 towards the installation of a new kitchen.

Frontier Services is very grateful for the contribution made by the volunteers and the Fellowship and all who make our work possible.

Tania added: “The volunteers are a special kind of person who make a massive difference in other people’s lives, even if it is only for a short time and even if they will never meet again. The world is a better place with these astonishing people.”