Town pulls together in kindness

As the world feels the devastating health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, local Pilbara residents are uniting to provide hope and support. Food delivery service Hungry Hub has been involved with generous random acts of kindness over the past couple of weeks where anonymous residents donated coffee to essential workers. Hungry Hub founder Joe Sutherland said he and his team delivered more than 140 coffees over four days to Tambrey Primary School, St Paul’s Primary School, Woolworths, Coles, daycare centres, Karratha Health Campus, local pharmacies and the police station. “After everything that has been going on in this town, it has been absolutely amazing to see the town has pulled together and supporting everyone. It’s been awesome,” he said. “Places like the pharmacy and the schools, I don’t know how they are dealing with a lot of this stuff. Especially the staff at Woolworths and Coles, they are getting a lot of verbal abuse throughout the days. “When we drop it off they are pretty stoked and it’s good to see everyone with a smile on their face. It’s definitely made their day.” Tambrey Primary School principal Troy Wither said he and his team were thankful for the delivery. “The random act of kindness coffee delivery was a highlight of what has been a challenging week for staff,” he said. “It just goes to show how wonderful our school community is and how much they appreciate us.” Pilbara 4WD Charters owner Neil Corker also offered a helping hand by giving free lifts to those in need after he temporarily ceased tours due to COVID-19, with Yara sponsoring the initiative. “I should imagine there would be pensioners out there that want to go down to the chemist or pharmacy or the doctors, or maybe they want to go and do some shopping themselves,” he said. “I am more than happy to do that and it won’t cost them anything. “I am grateful Yara have decided to lend a helping hand for me as well. It’s good for me, good for them and good for the community. Everyone wins.” A social distancing teddy bear hunt has also taken off around town, with residents placing a bear in their front yard for kids to spot from the street to keep them entertained and safe. More than 500 residents joined the Facebook group that posts daily updates of participating streets, with many children also displaying artwork in their front yard to brighten the day of those who pass by. Meanwhile, Karratha Sen-Sgt. Danial Strachan took to social media to thank the community for their kindness after the person in the line in front of him at Chicken Treat paid for his order. “To say I was shocked was an understatement,” he said. “Today I have set myself a challenge to do the same to someone one. “This is only my second week in Karratha. To see this community spirit is encouraging, considering the challenging environment everyone is now immersed in.”