BEAUDESERT residents queuing outside Centrelink this morning were in for a long wait after hospitality workers found themselves unemployed due to COVID-19 security measures.
The waiting was made easier on everyone after a good deed triggered a flood of country generosity and good humour.
Tamborine Village resident Jeff McConnell said he was driving past when he noticed more than 100 people lining up.
"It wasn't too hot, being an overcast day but I stopped to see how people were doing," he said.
"I went into Centrelink and the manager gave me a chair for a lady who was waiting in line.
"Then I got three other chairs and asked the SES shed for some bottles of cold water- I did go to Coles and buy some more to restock the fridge.
"Those people were there for a long time and many were hospitality workers. I know they are asking people not to queue outside Centrelink offices and to apply online but people are having trouble accessing the website so I don't think that's going to happen.
"I'll go back tomorrow."
Beaudesert resident Janet Brown was in the queue with her daughter Danielle Antcliff, who also lost her job as a result of the recent social distancing regulations.
"We were there for three hours," Ms Brown said.
"A man went over to Coles and got me a crate to sit on and then Jeff McConnell brought chairs and bottles of water.
"The staff in Centrelink were amazing too. It was incredible."
Ms Ancliff said the attitude of people in the queue was positive.
"There were people from all walks of life there.
"We waited three hours but everyone was chatting with each other and having a laugh so it flew by really."
