An act of kindness from a Queenslander has given a Victorian cafe owner the lift she needs to get through a second lockdown.
Paula Rangi has operated Rustique Soul in Beechworth for two years and this week decided to close her doors for a second time in 2020 having offered takeaway since stage three rules began this month.
Mrs Rangi received a call from a florist this week to say some blooms had been left at the shop and she arrived to also find chocolates and a note reading, "Others are thinking of you and the tough times you endure. Enjoy a little kindness."
"I've since found out it's actually a man in Queensland who saw (Wodonga mayor) Anna Speedie speaking on (ABC program) The Drum about businesses on the Border," she said.
"He contacted The Drum and wanted to give 10 small businesses an act of kindness and a bit of encouragement.
"How can I be down and think 'poor me' when somebody has done that? It just blew me away."
Mrs Rangi says she will stay positive and approach the second lockdown with the best case in mind.
"Say they get the numbers down, they open Melbourne, they open the border and the end of September is school holidays. I have to plan for that and make sure everything is place," she said.
She has hired two new staff for a September restart.
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
