Port’s angels: town rallies for young mum

MOVING to Portarlington without the support of family and friends, has been tough for mum-of-four Billee Dellar, and when husband Patrick lost his job, the family began to struggle.
After Patrick flew to Darwin for work, the family had $100 to get by until his first paycheck, barely enough to buy essentials, when someone stole the cash from Billee’s wallet last Monday.
“I took laundry down to the laundromat to get dried and put my purse down before I put the clothes in the dryer. I didn’t realise I’d left it there until I got back, at first I was relieved when I saw it, and then I thought ‘oh no’,” Billee said.
“I had $100 in there and when I opened it up, the money was gone, it was heart-wrenching. That was money for our food and nappies for the next two weeks, I have four kids and my husband was laid off work.
“We haven’t been paid – all our savings have gone over the last few weeks. He’d just left for Darwin so that money was all I had until he gets paid again.”
After breaking down in the laundromat, Billee was comforted by nine-year-old daughter Eliza, and when she arrived home posted to the Portarlington Community Noticeboard.
“I was really embarrassed to put it out there, in public where people would see, but it was pure desperation; I asked whoever took the money, to please give it back.
“I explained our situation, hoping that if they saw how much my family needs it, they might return the money.”
What happened next restored Billee’s faith in people, within an hour of the post, strangers reached out replacing the money, delivering groceries and shouting her and the kids’ dinner.
“I didn’t expect the support, it was astounding. A man messaged me and asked for my address, he and his neighbour had gone and bought two weeks’ worth of groceries.
“When he arrived, he handed me the groceries and $100. I was balling my eyes out and Eliza was comforting me again. She kept saying to me, ‘How nice are these people, Mum? They don’t even know us’.”
Billee said another lady reached out and came over with food and fresh fruit from the local foodbank, while John from Pier Front Pizzeria shouted the family’s dinner, and went “above and beyond” for them.
“I had tons and tons of offers from local individuals and businesses. By that stage I’d received groceries and money and we were okay again so I didn’t accept any more.
“We moved to Port in November, when I posted I was literally at a point of desperation. I didn’t know anyone, I’ve had such a hard time settling in and when this happened, I didn’t know who to ask for help.
“I didn’t want to worry my husband – I have four kids by myself and was already lonely and struggling. I’ve wanted to move back home but this made me want to stay.”
Billee said the experience has been life-changing, not only for her but the children as well.
“I didn’t want to check the post after I’d written it. I was afraid there would be trolls, or I’d get attacked but people had faith in me. There was no negativity, only kindness.
“Complete strangers that wanted to make sure we were okay, that didn’t want to see my family struggle, and just jumped into action. This showed me and my children that people are kind.
“I don’t judge the person who took the money. We’re all struggling; maybe they were in a position where they really needed the money, so maybe it was a godsend for them.”