Quite a bit has been written about the plights of many in this country. We read about many towns that are struggling, and of farmers too in drought affected areas etc. It made me think how lucky how many of us in this forum are, to have the life we do, being able to afford to travel, and live this wonderful life.
Today I stopped at a KFC for a bite to eat. Whilst I was there, I observed a quite clean looking chap around 60 years old going through the bins. Yes not only was he was taking out the odd empty can but also any food scraps he could find. Then he proceded to sit down outside and eat the food scraps. He was not carrying around belongings so perhaps he has somewhere to live. I felt sorry for him and went over to ask if he was allright and would he like a hot meal. He had tears in his eyes while he said he would be so pleased to just have some hot chips. I went back in the store and ordered some food for the chap, and the store manager who served me even chipped in with a drink as well for him. When I went outside to pass this man his food and drink, I could see the shame in his eyes while he told me how so very hungry he was and thanked me with an unbelievable gratitude, and a great big hug.
Driving away I was thinking how fortunate we are, in this the lucky country ???????
Joe
moamajohn said
10:07 PM Jul 25, 2018
I Don,t know how to respond to you Joe.Suffice to say that you left another person the better for having met you .I did much the same recently whilst in Melbourne on a visit.I went home and said to my wife that I almost felt selfish insofar as I really felt good about me because I had done a good deed to another person .I often wonder how the Salvos etc can do it every day because I often feel guilty passing someone in the street that is sitting on a corner looking the worse for wear .Anyhow well done to you Joe .Cheers john.
brickies said
10:08 PM Jul 25, 2018
So true Joe and I please to know people like you are out there .
Farmhat said
10:34 PM Jul 25, 2018
moamajohn and brickies, Thank you very much for your comments .
I would like to state that in no way was my post meant to put me in good stead, but to highlight some thoughts I had on this 'lucky country.'
To some on here and elsewhere, their lives seems to exist on their being right, more than the next bloke, or on how much their house is worth............. You get my gist.
"There but for the grace of God go I".
Joe
-- Edited by Farmhat on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 10:35:19 PM
Roy E said
12:17 AM Jul 26, 2018
Joe,
I hope you got the same warm feeling feeding that man as I got reading your story.
In future, I will keep a better eye out for people like your man who for whatever reason, have fallen on hard times; there but for the grace of God, go I.
Roy.
Desert Dweller said
06:43 AM Jul 26, 2018
Maybe everyone on this forum could donate $500 each & give it to him? That should buy him a decent rig.
Mike Harding said
07:07 AM Jul 26, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
Maybe everyone on this forum could donate $500 each & give it to him? That should buy him a decent rig.
A number of times you have made posts of this ilk and it makes me wonder why you harbour such bitterness in your soul.
A couple of days ago you had the temerity to lecture me upon religion which makes this a good time to remind you of one of your god's teachings:
Luke 10:25-37
Wizardofoz said
07:40 AM Jul 26, 2018
Mike Harding wrote:
Desert Dweller wrote:
Maybe everyone on this forum could donate $500 each & give it to him? That should buy him a decent rig.
A number of times you have made posts of this ilk and it makes me wonder why you harbour such bitterness in your soul.
A couple of days ago you had the temerity to lecture me upon religion which makes this a good time to remind you of one of your god's teachings:
Luke 10:25-37
Yes Mike, I am still shaking my head over those comments, hard to fathom really, but it takes all types to make up this world!
A great deed Joe, and yes, there are many people not just country folks that are doing it very tough at the moment...if only our leaders showed the same care and compassion for the less fortunate Or those down on their luck.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Thursday 26th of July 2018 07:42:03 AM
SouthernComfort said
08:19 AM Jul 26, 2018
Good on ya' Joe, such a selfless gesture shows the better side of human nature is still alive and well.
rockylizard said
08:23 AM Jul 26, 2018
Gday...
Laudable Farmhat (Joe) - we all tend to just 'get on with life' and not see the plight of others.
Often when I see folk like the bloke in this tale, I wonder how come they don't qualify for some sort of welfare through Centrelink.
But I guess their life's journey has left them with some sort of burden that doesn't allow welfare payments to last sufficiently to give them a basic life.
Cheers - John
Dave1952 said
09:10 AM Jul 26, 2018
What concerns me when I see news reports about the drought and graziers having to shoot stock, etc. is that city dwellers will willingly donate to supply hay to these graziers but no thought is given to simply donating money to the local communities. If donations of hay and food from the cities are delivered to the graziers, the local communities and towns suffer because there is no money going through those towns. They are being bypassed by well meaning people who have no idea that people do live in those towns and rely on local businesses for their very survival.
Grandad5 said
09:42 AM Jul 26, 2018
I'm going to take a different track here, hopefully without detracting from your kindness and good deed which does indeed deserve recognition and go back to your opening question. "Is this the lucky country?"
Yes, it is. Maybe not "Lucky" per se except that we are lucky to live here because luck has nothing to do with how Australia became the country it is.
You found a man down on his luck and gave him a helping hand and it was so unusual you felt the need to share it here.
That should tell us all that we are indeed lucky to live here.
On a recent trip to LA in the grand old country of the USA (the home of the brave and the free yadada yadada) this spectacle was everywhere. And the homeless weren't well dressed. All along every freeway. Outside every large family restaurant. On almost every footpath in the CBD.
The American people almost without fail did as you did. They are more than willing to help out.
It's the comparison of how often you see this that tells me I am so glad I live here.
There are always going to be people who need a hand up from time to time.
What makes us lucky is that not only are the people willing to help, even if the type of help is misguided at times, but that we have safety nets in place that will also help the majority of the time.
Do we as a country miss some or can we as a country do more? Hell yes. But we are so much better off than so many other countries that we have indeed earned the title "The Lucky Country"
Yuglamron said
10:56 AM Jul 26, 2018
I don't know if this will work but A friend in the UK posted this on FaceBook.
Good post Joe were mostly selfish people just human nature. some things are beyond my understanding like why pay the head of the post office millions of dollars much more than the prime minister,would not the poor bugger manage on a lousy million,and use the other five million to buy feed for drought effected farmers ,taxpayers Money is wasted in stupid areas ...
Farmhat said
06:08 PM Jul 26, 2018
I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and replies, thank you.
I am more than certain that the gratitude I felt from the hungry guy was not so much that he got a feed, but that someone cared enough.
It may not be near as bad here as in the USA but it nevertheless is here. It really is not so uncommon. One day a job and house, next day, nothing. I know folks who on the outside seemed to be doing ok, and overnight they were on the street. There would be many reasons, one is that credit has been too easy and if not managed carefully, can spell disaster. I predict many to fall over when interest rates start rising.
Lucky country if the cards fall your way.
Joe
aussie_paul said
07:24 PM Jul 26, 2018
Farmhat wrote:
moamajohn and brickies, Thank you very much for your comments .
I would like to state that in no way was my post meant to put me in good stead, but to highlight some thoughts I had on this 'lucky country.'
To some on here and elsewhere, their lives seems to exist on their being right, more than the next bloke, or on how much their house is worth............. You get my gist.
"There but for the grace of God go I".
Joe
-- Edited by Farmhat on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 10:35:19 PM
Too true Joe, well done Mate.
Aussie Paul.
Desert Dweller said
05:37 AM Jul 27, 2018
vince56 wrote:
Deary me DD, you've done it again!
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
dogbox said
08:59 AM Jul 27, 2018
but for a turn of luck or the grace of god any of us could find our selves in the position of the person in farmhats story .
someone who may think" it can't happen to me" may have some illness (physical or mental) befall them, a family tragedy, dementia or any no of things that may push them past their ability to function in a lot of case all you can say is THANK GOD FOR THE SALVOS they deal with the people most of us would prefer to avoid
dogbox said
09:04 AM Jul 27, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
vince56 wrote:
Deary me DD, you've done it again!
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
next time you walk past the salvos with a bucket drop $500 in the bucket might not get them a rig but it will provide a few hot meals and i'm sure you will feel good
Wizardofoz said
09:18 AM Jul 27, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
vince56 wrote:
Deary me DD, you've done it again!
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
Willing in words only...actions are all that mean anything, send the $500 to Cindy to hold in trust in case the bloke is found, until then you have wasted another post!
Grandad5 said
10:15 AM Jul 27, 2018
Farmhat wrote:
I am more than certain that the gratitude I felt from the hungry guy was not so much that he got a feed, but that someone cared enough.
It may not be near as bad here as in the USA but it nevertheless is here. It really is not so uncommon. One day a job and house, next day, nothing. I know folks who on the outside seemed to be doing ok, and overnight they were on the street. There would be many reasons, one is that credit has been too easy and if not managed carefully, can spell disaster. I predict many to fall over when interest rates start rising.
Lucky country if the cards fall your way.
As the person who's post you are referring to, I totally agree with every word you've just written.
I'm sure that man was indeed grateful that someone cared. And hopefully gave him a boost that somehow he may survive the situation he found himself in.
We're NOT doing enough! And, the (too) easily available credit has been the undoing of way too many including 4 out of 5 of my own kids. But our social services which are too often abused also provide some help to many others.
I guess, at the end of the day my view is that we are indeed lucky to live in Australia but we should never be complacent about the good things here and always strive to do better.
If this thread does nothing else, I think it may point out that some people, (not necessarily any one person posting here) may have a view that if someone is down and out, that somehow that is their fault. Although I don't have any belief in a higher mystical power the expression "There but for the grace of God" is 100% spot on.
Hearing things like your opening post goes a long way to restoring my faith in people in general. For that I thank you
Jim
brickies said
11:16 AM Jul 27, 2018
Some people out there are to proud to accept centrelink and don't want to be seen to failure .
rockylizard said
11:19 AM Jul 27, 2018
Gday...
I agree Brickies. However, too proud for Centrelink but not too proud to be seen fossicking in rubbish bins for tucker and sleeping in the gutter.
I guess 'ordinary folk' like us will never know the real answers.
Cheers - John
brickies said
12:28 PM Jul 27, 2018
John at one stage I was on a youth shelter committe , We had empty beds and some people were sleeping rough , Mental health is a big issue and we can't judge people .
Desert Dweller said
01:24 PM Jul 27, 2018
Wizardofoz wrote:
Desert Dweller wrote:
vince56 wrote:
Deary me DD, you've done it again!
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
Willing in words only...actions are all that mean anything, send the $500 to Cindy to hold in trust in case the bloke is found, until then you have wasted another post!
Where's your five hundred bucks? We sponsor a child overseas, buy extra groceries most times that we shop at the supermarket & place them in the two charity food bins.
We also donate goods to many Op Shops including the Salvos & our daughter is on the committee of the Lighthouse Foundation which looks after & feeds homeless people in Melbourne.
The list of our regular donations goes on, Country Fire Authority, Surf Life Saving Clubs etc. etc.
What do YOU DO, if anything?
Wizardofoz said
03:21 PM Jul 27, 2018
I dont talk Down to people nor do I talk myself up.
You opened Your mouth with the offer, when it becomes a reality, I will match it...no Problem!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 27th of July 2018 03:22:51 PM
Tony Bev said
04:21 PM Jul 27, 2018
All things being equal, I think that we are in a lucky country
I also believe the wise words of "But for the grace of God, there go I"
I say credit where credit is due, and good on you Farmhat, and others who have helped out, when and where they could
Desert Dweller said
05:26 AM Jul 28, 2018
Wizardofoz wrote:
I dont talk Down to people nor do I talk myself up.
You opened Your mouth with the offer, when it becomes a reality, I will match it...no Problem!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 27th of July 2018 03:22:51 PM
If you read our original suggestion it stated that it may be a good idea if we all threw in a quid for the poor soul. We thought that it was a good idea until you popped up out of nowhere.
Time to pull your head in we suggest.
Wizardofoz said
11:53 AM Jul 28, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
vince56 wrote:
Deary me DD, you've done it again!
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
i suggest that you follow your own advice, before your hole gets even deeper.
Is this the Lucky Country?
Quite a bit has been written about the plights of many in this country. We read about many towns that are struggling, and of farmers too in drought affected areas etc. It made me think how lucky how many of us in this forum are, to have the life we do, being able to afford to travel, and live this wonderful life.
Today I stopped at a KFC for a bite to eat. Whilst I was there, I observed a quite clean looking chap around 60 years old going through the bins. Yes not only was he was taking out the odd empty can but also any food scraps he could find. Then he proceded to sit down outside and eat the food scraps. He was not carrying around belongings so perhaps he has somewhere to live. I felt sorry for him and went over to ask if he was allright and would he like a hot meal. He had tears in his eyes while he said he would be so pleased to just have some hot chips. I went back in the store and ordered some food for the chap, and the store manager who served me even chipped in with a drink as well for him. When I went outside to pass this man his food and drink, I could see the shame in his eyes while he told me how so very hungry he was and thanked me with an unbelievable gratitude, and a great big hug.
Driving away I was thinking how fortunate we are, in this the lucky country ???????
Joe
moamajohn and brickies, Thank you very much for your comments
.
I would like to state that in no way was my post meant to put me in good stead, but to highlight some thoughts I had on this 'lucky country.'
To some on here and elsewhere, their lives seems to exist on their being right, more than the next bloke, or on how much their house is worth............. You get my gist.
"There but for the grace of God go I".
Joe
-- Edited by Farmhat on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 10:35:19 PM
I hope you got the same warm feeling feeding that man as I got reading your story.
In future, I will keep a better eye out for people like your man who for whatever reason, have fallen on hard times; there but for the grace of God, go I.
Roy.
Maybe everyone on this forum could donate $500 each & give it to him? That should buy him a decent rig.
A number of times you have made posts of this ilk and it makes me wonder why you harbour such bitterness in your soul.
A couple of days ago you had the temerity to lecture me upon religion which makes this a good time to remind you of one of your god's teachings:
Luke 10:25-37
Yes Mike, I am still shaking my head over those comments, hard to fathom really, but it takes all types to make up this world!
A great deed Joe, and yes, there are many people not just country folks that are doing it very tough at the moment...if only our leaders showed the same care and compassion for the less fortunate Or those down on their luck.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Thursday 26th of July 2018 07:42:03 AM
Gday...
Laudable Farmhat (Joe) - we all tend to just 'get on with life' and not see the plight of others.
Often when I see folk like the bloke in this tale, I wonder how come they don't qualify for some sort of welfare through Centrelink.
But I guess their life's journey has left them with some sort of burden that doesn't allow welfare payments to last sufficiently to give them a basic life.
Cheers - John
Yes, it is. Maybe not "Lucky" per se except that we are lucky to live here because luck has nothing to do with how Australia became the country it is.
You found a man down on his luck and gave him a helping hand and it was so unusual you felt the need to share it here.
That should tell us all that we are indeed lucky to live here.
On a recent trip to LA in the grand old country of the USA (the home of the brave and the free yadada yadada) this spectacle was everywhere. And the homeless weren't well dressed. All along every freeway. Outside every large family restaurant. On almost every footpath in the CBD.
The American people almost without fail did as you did. They are more than willing to help out.
It's the comparison of how often you see this that tells me I am so glad I live here.
There are always going to be people who need a hand up from time to time.
What makes us lucky is that not only are the people willing to help, even if the type of help is misguided at times, but that we have safety nets in place that will also help the majority of the time.
Do we as a country miss some or can we as a country do more? Hell yes. But we are so much better off than so many other countries that we have indeed earned the title "The Lucky Country"
I don't know if this will work but A friend in the UK posted this on FaceBook.
https://www.facebook.com/wendy.machanik/videos/1061185530716583/
Good post Joe were mostly selfish people just human nature. some things are beyond my understanding like why pay the head of the post office millions of dollars much more than the prime minister,would not the poor bugger manage on a lousy million,and use the other five million to buy feed for drought effected farmers ,taxpayers Money is wasted in stupid areas ...
I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and replies, thank you.
I am more than certain that the gratitude I felt from the hungry guy was not so much that he got a feed, but that someone cared enough.
It may not be near as bad here as in the USA but it nevertheless is here. It really is not so uncommon. One day a job and house, next day, nothing. I know folks who on the outside seemed to be doing ok, and overnight they were on the street. There would be many reasons, one is that credit has been too easy and if not managed carefully, can spell disaster. I predict many to fall over when interest rates start rising.
Lucky country if the cards fall your way.
Joe
Too true Joe, well done Mate.
Aussie Paul.
Don't know what they're upset about, we're willing to donate five hundred bucks.
someone who may think" it can't happen to me" may have some illness (physical or mental) befall them, a family tragedy, dementia or any no of things that may push them past their ability to function in a lot of case all you can say is THANK GOD FOR THE SALVOS they deal with the people most of us would prefer to avoid
next time you walk past the salvos with a bucket drop $500 in the bucket might not get them a rig but it will provide a few hot meals and i'm sure you will feel good
Willing in words only...actions are all that mean anything, send the $500 to Cindy to hold in trust in case the bloke is found, until then you have wasted another post!
As the person who's post you are referring to, I totally agree with every word you've just written.
I'm sure that man was indeed grateful that someone cared. And hopefully gave him a boost that somehow he may survive the situation he found himself in.
We're NOT doing enough!
And, the (too) easily available credit has been the undoing of way too many including 4 out of 5 of my own kids.
But our social services which are too often abused also provide some help to many others.
I guess, at the end of the day my view is that we are indeed lucky to live in Australia but we should never be complacent about the good things here and always strive to do better.
If this thread does nothing else, I think it may point out that some people, (not necessarily any one person posting here) may have a view that if someone is down and out, that somehow that is their fault.
Although I don't have any belief in a higher mystical power the expression "There but for the grace of God" is 100% spot on.
Hearing things like your opening post goes a long way to restoring my faith in people in general.
For that I thank you
Jim
Gday...
I agree Brickies. However, too proud for Centrelink but not too proud to be seen fossicking in rubbish bins for tucker and sleeping in the gutter.
I guess 'ordinary folk' like us will never know the real answers.
Cheers - John
Where's your five hundred bucks? We sponsor a child overseas, buy extra groceries most times that we shop at the supermarket & place them in the two charity food bins.
We also donate goods to many Op Shops including the Salvos & our daughter is on the committee of the Lighthouse Foundation which looks after & feeds homeless people in Melbourne.
The list of our regular donations goes on, Country Fire Authority, Surf Life Saving Clubs etc. etc.
What do YOU DO, if anything?
I dont talk Down to people nor do I talk myself up.
You opened Your mouth with the offer, when it becomes a reality, I will match it...no Problem!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 27th of July 2018 03:22:51 PM
All things being equal, I think that we are in a lucky country
I also believe the wise words of "But for the grace of God, there go I"
I say credit where credit is due, and good on you Farmhat, and others who have helped out, when and where they could
If you read our original suggestion it stated that it may be a good idea if we all threw in a quid for the poor soul. We thought that it was a good idea until you popped up out of nowhere.
Time to pull your head in we suggest.
i suggest that you follow your own advice, before your hole gets even deeper.