The Journey of Souci – and How the South West of Australia Won the Hearts of a Canadian Family
In mid-March, 50 delegates from around the world joined John and Linda Stanley from Chestnut Brae on an agritourism tour of Western Australia’s South West. The tour showcased some of the region’s best farm-based tourism experiences. Among the delegates were Jordan and Alyson McKay from Ontario, Canada, travelling with their four-year-old daughter. Wherever she went, her beloved cuddly toy, Souci, went too—visiting farms, meeting animals, and tucking in beside her at bedtime.
On the final farm visit, Souci, like always, left the tour bus and explored Out and About Eggs near Nannup. But this time, he enjoyed it so much that he decided to stay behind. Unaware, the McKay family departed, only realising Souci was missing when they arrived in Harvey for lunch with Secret Picnic from Bridgetown. That’s when John received a WhatsApp call from Beth at Out and About Eggs—complete with a photo of Souci, happily settling in with the chickens.
A Community Comes Together
With the family set to fly back to Canada the next morning, a frantic rescue mission began. Jordan’s only option seemed to be hiring a car, driving from Harvey to Nannup, retrieving Souci, then racing back to Perth Airport—an impossible task on a Saturday afternoon.
That’s when the South West community stepped in. A local volunteer at the Secret Picnic lunch put out a message on a regional Facebook page, and within minutes, a plan was in motion.
A kind-hearted stranger from Bridgetown drove to Nannup to collect Souci and brought him back to Bridgetown. From there, another generous person—completely unknown to the McKay family—offered to take Souci on their trip to Perth. They even went out of their way to detour to the airport, where they dropped Souci at a café just in time for him to board the flight home.
A Story of South West Kindness
The McKay family was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of complete strangers. They left Western Australia not just with memories of an incredible agritourism experience but with a deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality of the South West.
Acts of kindness like this are worth more than any marketing campaign—because now, on the other side of the world, there is a family in Canada sharing a story about the incredible people of Nannup, Bridgetown, and Harvey.
Souci and his young owner are now safely back in Canada, enjoying the snow. But their hearts—and their gratitude—remain firmly in the South West of Australia.
