Hardship in the South Burnett

When Life Feels Too Heavy to Face Alone Sometimes life doesn’t fall apart all at once – it happens quietly. A few missed payments. A service bill that doesn’t make sense. A feeling that it’s easier to say “yes” than to speak up. That’s how Carla’s struggle began.

Living in Proston, Carla already faced the daily challenge of isolation. There’s no public transport, the local shop is small and expensive, and even getting to a doctor’s appointment or doing groceries can feel impossible. Over time, the loneliness crept in too. “I don’t hear from my family anymore,” she says softly. “I used to pay for rent and food, fill up the tank, and I still wasn’t invited to Christmas lunch in my own house.

”Then the bills started to arrive. First, one from her electricity provider – almost $4,200. After hours on the phone, Carla discovered her name had been added to someone else’s account, not as a payer, but as a secondary contact. The mix-up left her overwhelmed and terrified. Around the same time, another bill arrived from a support service that helps her with transport to medical appointments and shopping. The visits were originally meant to be once a month – then changed to every two weeks, and then suddenly to weekly. Without realising, Carla had accumulated a significant debt.

For someone already living with anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem, it was too much to face. Saying “no” or asking questions felt impossible. “I didn’t know what to do,” she explains. “I just kept letting them come. I didn’t want to upset anyone. ”By the time she reached out for help, the bills had become overwhelming. Carla was already on a hardship plan, paying what she could -$30 a fortnight – but it felt like she was drowning. That’s when our team stepped in.

We worked alongside Carla to review her situation, contact providers, and make sure she was being charged correctly. We also helped her access financial subsidies that are reviewed every four months to keep her plan realistic and fair. It wasn’t just about the bills – it was about rebuilding confidence and helping Carla feel in control again.

The Human Side of Hardship Carla’s story is a reminder that mental health and financial stress are deeply connected. When you’re living with depression, anxiety, or grief, even simple things – like opening a bill or making a phone call -can feel impossible. These challenges are rarely about one bad decision. They often come from years of hardship, family breakdown, or simply trying to survive when support feels far away.

We know we can’t solve every problem, but we can stand beside people as they face them – helping them to navigate systems, manage money, and find the confidence to speak up.

This Christmas, Carla isn’t alone. She’s opening her home to a few local friends for lunch – four people around the table, sharing a meal, a story, and some laughter. “It’s not much,” she says, “but it means everything. ”Because sometimes, the first step out of hardship starts with a seat at the table.

When you support the Christmas Hamper Drive, you’re helping real people in our community feel seen, supported, and not alone. We’ve changed her name to protect her privacy and dignity.