Bush Fire Relief

In the summer of 2019-2020 devasting bushfires swept through many Australian communities leaving families, farms and livelihoods in ruin.  Like so many others we watched the destruction unfold and wondered how we could help.

My husband, Anthony Holdsworth, was a builder by trade but more importantly a man who believed deeply in helping others.  Anthony was the sort of person who quietly showed up when someone needed a hand with his tools, his time or simply his willingness to help.

When Anthony’s brother Tim (who is the local fire chief in Bermagui NSW) told Anthony about Colin and Linda Sutherland, farmers from Yowrie whose property and fencing had been severally impacted by the fires, Anthony knew exactly what he wanted to do.  He believed that helping even one family rebuild could make a meaningful difference to an entire community.

Over the Labour Day long weekend, Anthony gathered his family and a team of volunteers and travelled to the Sutherland property.  Together we worked tirelessly to rebuild kilometres of fencing that had been destroyed by the fires.  What might have taken the Sutherland family years to restore was achieved in just a few days through the generosity, skill and determination of people willing to lend a hand.

The experience left a lasting impression on all of us. It was a reminder of the extraordinary power of community, how practical help, offered with kindness can restore not just a property but hope.

Losing Anthony left an enormous space in our lives, but his generosity and kindness continue to guide us. This foundation is our way of honouring the man Anthony was, someone who believed wholeheartedly in helping others without hesitation. If the work we do here brings even a small amount of relief, hope or support to someone or a family doing it tough then Anthony’s spirit of generosity will continue to live on.

Holdsworth Hammer and Heart exists to keep Anthony’s legacy alive, one act of kindness at a time.  Anthony often said “Come on mate, where’s your fight to make it right….”  That belief sits at the heart of this foundation.