By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Let’s hope that a Berwick resident’s gesture will be the sign of the times.
Like many others, Brett Curtis and his Pakenham-based business AAFS Shopfitting is belying the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.
Catching the eye of walkers passing by in Moondarra Drive, Berwick is a simple signboard message: “KND: Be the I in Kind.”
It was a reminder for people to be kind to each other, Mr Curtis said.
“I want to encourage locals to support local small businesses, as many will be doing it tough right now.
“There are going to be testing times. We’re living in each other’s pockets 24/7 for however long, we don’t know.
“We are all in this together, and we can all get through it together if we are kind and support one another.”
As a result of the coronavirus shutdown, about $1.5 million of AAFS Shopfittings’ business suddenly pulled out from under its feet. Workers were reluctantly stood down.
“We’re a retail fit-out company, and retail has taken a massive hit. Look around Chadstone and Fountain Gate – there’s zero foot traffic. The Emporium has shut down in the city.
“We know how tough it is having a small business and there will be people in worse positions than us.”
Getting behind the message was Pakenham-based signage business Creative Aspect, which printed the sign for no cost.
Meanwhile passers-by have scrawled affirmations in texta. One from “your neighbours on Moondarra Drive” offers: “We are in this together. We support you”.
“Be kind to others,” another anonymous writer adds. “Your unassuming act of kindness might become someone’s memory of a lifetime”.
In the meantime, it’s a movement – perhaps a silver lining – that fits in with City of Casey’s Be Kind campaign.
“We encourage others to write their messages of kindness,” Mr Curtis says.
“If it brings a smile to the face, that’s a win for one person.”
