Spirits were lifted at Danthonia Bruderhof when they checked their mailbox this week.

Accompanied by $50, the letter writer ‘DiAnne’ encouraged the recipient to accept “this small token” during such a challenging time. They were invited to use the gift to pamper themselves with some cups of coffee or a trip to the hairdresser. 

“My family have property in Central Queensland and I understand the hardships that drought can bring,” DiAnne wrote.

She said she and her husband, both from Toowoomba, were travelling through the region “in order to contribute in some small way to show some of the local ladies that we appreciate greatly what the people on the land do day by day.”

“We were all amazed at this genuine act of kindness from a complete stranger. It’s a pretty humbling feeling,” community member Norann Voll said. 

“She and her husband obviously understand the strain a drought places on emotional and mental health, and they’re reaching out in a thoughtful manner to encourage, support, and empower people they’ve never met.”

Norann felt the couple were aware that it is Women’s Health Week in Australia, and were concerned for the women in the area “who are bearing the brunt of the drought crisis”.

Sharing the story with several individuals and organisations who’ve lent a hand to the Inverell community during the drought, Norann’s husband Chris Voll said the gesture “represents the fantastic, beautiful resiliency of the Aussie spirit”.

Although Danthonia is dryer than usual, the community felt fortunate to have had some recent rain, and said their property was in better shape than many in the region. 

As such, they were keen to pay the $50 forward to someone in the community who they felt was “doing it tougher”. Norann said they already had someone in mind, but would like to keep it a surprise. 

She said the community would be joining DiAnne in praying for soaking rain.