THE Huskisson family's Wattle Downs homestead at The Gums now has a mobility ramp, thanks to the hard work of the Qantas Cabin Crew Team.
The volunteer team, which comprised of staff from across the Qantas business, descended on Wattle Downs to lend a helping hand on a variety of tasks made more difficult because of the ongoing drought.
The main project was the mobility ramp which now allows Karen's mum Loma Huskisson to more easily move in and out of the house.
Karen Huskisson said she couldn't thank the 11 volunteers enough.
"It was just fantastic. It was just incredible what they did," Karen said.
"Not only did they build the ramp for Mum, they completed a big list of jobs including finishing an 800m section of an electric fence to keep wild dogs out, and serviced vehicles including the quad bike and the tractor.
"They even brought 42mm of rain of very welcome and desperately needed rain," she laughed.
They even brought 42mm of rain of very welcome and desperately needed rain.
- Karen Huskisson, Wattle Downs, The Gums
The crew also called in former RACQ mechanic Terry Peters to help service some of the property's machinery during the blistering heatwave.
Australian project manager Heidi Bell said the charity had helped out on about 50 farms in Queensland since the QCCT was formed four-and-a-half years ago.
"We all just love getting out and meeting and helping people," Heidi said. "It's not just that it is extremely personally rewarding, but we are making friends for life."
The QCCT volunteers donate up to two weeks of their leave each year to be involved in the charity., often sleeping in shearers' quarters, tents, or even the open air when visiting farms.
Qantas stood down its international cabin crew staff in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the staff have taken temporary employment in other industries adding to the challenge of coordinating the volunteer work.
The Cabin Crew Team also spent time at the nearby Moonie State School, where they stained a deck and sanded learning blocks for the students.
