Over Christmas and New Year a few exceptional Frontier Services staff gave a special gift to others – the gift of  being there. These staff volunteered to fill the gap while other staff took the opportunity to travel home to be with family. The Frontier Services staff worked hard to ensure that Christmas cheer was experienced by those living in Docker River, one of the most remote parts of Australia.

It was early Christmas morning when Centralian Patrol Minister Rev Colin Gordon flew Emily McForley, Team leader and support worker Mutitjulu, Rael Cartledge, Coordinator of Mutitjulu Community Care and Respite and Lara Cartledge, to Docker
River. Colin and the team spent the day putting up Christmas decorations, serving Christmas lunch to the clients and giving staff members a break. The next day, Colin flew to Mutitjulu and relieved the cook by making a large lunch. He then flew on to Docker River on New Year’s Day to fix the air conditioner. On their first visit to Docker River, they handed pamper packs that had been carfelly packed by the Yarralumla Uniting Church Friendship Group, under the leadership of Koraline Killeen. The packs were made up of practical items put together in lovely coloured organza bags. It was Rael’s first time at Docker River. We asked Rael what motivated her to work on this special day.
“Working at Docker River was a very different experience. I have always worked on Christmas Day, but I really enjoyed the experience of volunteering at Docker River. I guess I love supporting people, so it was good to see the cook actually put her feet up for half an hour which she isn’t normally able to do. Just doing something really little makes a difference. We wanted to make it special for them. It really was a joy,” said Rael.

There were tears in many people’s eyes as Colin, Rael, Emily and Lara landed at Docker River and began handing out gifts. Many staff were overwhelmed and touched by the thoughtfulness of the gifts and the wonderful generosity shown by the Yarralumla Uniting Church Friendship Group.