On Monday, I noticed a much-needed change in the weather, the arrival of some beautiful warm March sunshine. I was finally able to get out and about and make the most of it.

I started my day quite early, dragging myself out of bed just before sunrise, unusual for me. I was surprised to see how many other people were awake at this hour and thought I could get used to being up at this time!

I met a girlfriend at her place and we drove to Avoca Beach. When we arrived, we took a walk. The sun began to rise, striking the ocean; the view was stunning. As we walked along the quiet beach, we both dipped our feet in the water and commented on how warm it was for early autumn. I said to my friend, ‘This water is like a bath!’

As it got lighter, we became more aware of the vast amount of debris that was strewn along the shoreline. Huge logs and some unusual items, such as fridges, cladding and water tanks, had washed ashore after the severe storms that had hit the Central Coast and further north. We had seen pictures of this on the news, but now we were confronted by some of the devastation these storms had caused to so many people’s lives — those who had lost their homes, their livelihoods and their businesses.

That week I had been involved in helping my friend prepare some essential care packages to send up north and bring some hope to those people who were in great need.

May we all remember what our fellow citizens have recently been going through and continue to reach out to them with our help and support. May we keep them in our prayers.