In a time of high cost-of-living, rising homelessness and food insecurity, there are many locals thanklessly cutting through it all to lend a helping hand to their neighbours.
There’s one man, a Beenleigh local named Shane, who is literally doing just that.
For a few years now, Shane has mowed the lawns of his older mates as a favour.
What started off as a simple gesture has now turned into a free mowing service for local pensioners.
He has more than 20 regular clients.
“I made it for just age pensioners because the mates that I do it for are age pensioners, and they’re struggling a bit,” Shane said.
Shane, who is a fly-in-fly-out worker, said mowing lawns also keeps him busy when he’s home.
“I get a bit of exercise out of it too… and it keeps me out of the pub,” he joked.
One lawn Shane mows, which takes him about 30 minutes, belongs to a woman who used to pay $70 to a mowing service.
“I could see why they would charge that,” he said.
“But, that’s a night down at the club for her, or a couple of extra presents for the grandkids or something.”
In Logan, financial pain is growing.
In 2024, local community services organisation YFS received more than 1200 requests for assistance from people experiencing financial difficulties.
According to YFS, the most common presenting issues included people who experienced financial hardship, rent arrears, debts, budgeting and financial literacy.
“70% of all of the people YFS work with presented as financially insecure,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.
“We are seeing a general increase in demand in this space associated with the housing and cost of living crises.
“For those in the 26-55 age group, employment and income was also a key presenting issue.”
Like the team at YFS, there are a multitude of people in Logan doing big things to help struggling locals – handing out free food, gifting school supplies to families, and ensuring teenagers make their Year 12 formal.
While not everyone can run charities or dedicate their lives to supporting those most vulnerable in our community, these stalwarts say small gestures can make a big impact.
The founder of community-building organisation Gotta Love Logan, Kath De Leon, said making a difference can be as simple as “getting to know” someone.
“Great conversations can lead to understanding of our neighbours’ needs, and learning of opportunities where we might be able to help them out sometimes – like babysitting, mowing their lawns, picking up a few groceries from the shop, sharing some home grown veggies,” she said.
“People need people. Our neighbours need us, and we need them.”
Beenleigh’s Tammy Robinson-Heynatz, the founder of formal-wear charity Formally Ever After, agreed a simple conversation can go a long way.
“Everyone is busy, but if you stop and chat to your neighbours you’ll not only make the connection but you will fill a gap in some people’s lives,” she said.
“Sometimes all we need is a chat, whether it be a vent or just a general chat, the social connection is so important. A smile and a wave is sometimes forgotten also.”
Ms Robinson-Heynatz’s neighbours will often gift her home-grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.
“The roses make me smile so much – it’s such a simple act but one that is so special,” she said.
“Kindness and time don’t cost a thing.”
Sandra Emslie, the owner of Aussie Secondhand Bookshop at Logan Village, said helping out can be as simple as buying food for friends and family.
“When you go shopping and see specials like two for $6, or two for $3, etc., buy the specials and put one of each item in a bag for the neighbour,” she said.
“You will be surprised how often they may not be able to afford groceries.”
Ms Emslie said not to stop on the boundary of your property when mowing the lawn.
“If the neighbours are elderly or alone, don’t stop at the edge, keep going and mow their lawn too.
“What’s another 30 minutes of your time when it might cost them $50 to pay someone?”
In the summertime, she said to surprise your neighbour’s kids with a box of icecreams, and in the winter, with a pack of two-minute noodles.
“For all seasons – surprise your elderly neighbour with a flower from the garden and simply ask: do you need anything?
“It takes you five minutes to pick a flower and say hello. You could be the only person they see all week.
“Whenever you can, just do something kind for someone else by just saying, ‘hello’, with a a smile.”
