Junee Community Centre takes delivery of Hamish Doonan's Xbox to help another family

Of his own volition, the eight-year-old recently donated one of his most treasured possessions, an Xbox in almost new condition, to Junee’s Community Centre. 

Arriving in the town only seven months ago, the family has this week moved north to spend Christmas among those who a struggling from the drought.

“We have been working in Junee since April and are heading north to help drought-stricken farmers. Paying it forward to help because we can,” said Hamish’s father, Jay Doonan.

In order to reduce their caravan load, Hamish opted to leave his Xbox and assorted games behind.

“Hamish would rather it went to somebody who might not be able to afford a PlayStation for Xmas. [He] hopes it would be a good surprise for a boy or girl who might not have one,” said Mr Doonan.

The donation was not without its difficulty though, for both Hamish and his sisters.

“Hamish is a very kind and thoughtful boy and very emotional, so he was teary to part with it, but it was his idea for it to be donated rather than sold,” said Mr Doonan.

“Going to the community centre they will know a family in need and [it will] hopefully make another kid smile and give some enjoyment.”

When the family made the unannounced delivery last week, it came as an enormous surprise to the centre’s staff.

“I was really taken by the thought, especially from someone so young. It’s an incredibly generous thing to do,” said centre coordinator Emma Heard.