'Logan Legend' leads with kindness and compassion

If you’ve ever wondered who’s quietly helping make Logan’s school communities and neighbourhoods feel more connected, chances are it’s someone like Terese Tobin.

Terese has been involved with Berrinba East State School’s Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) for 5 years and is now in her fourth year as president, a role she took on before her daughter had even started Prep.

However, her journey with the school began not with a grand plan, but with curiosity.

Living directly across the road, she had walked past the school for years but never considered it for her daughter, until she had the opportunity to be involved in Curious Communities – play sessions for the whole community hosted in the school’s forest.

‘Child-led, outdoor, nature play is absolutely my jam,’ Terese says. Surprised by a school that had its very own forest – right on her doorstep – Terese began to see it in a different light.

This led her to sit in on a few P&C meetings as an observer in the last term of 2021, where she learned more about how students experience nature play and outdoor learning, and the kind of community that existed within its gates.

‘The following year, I put my hand up to be secretary to gain more insight into the school and its leadership, because I still hadn’t decided where to enrol my daughter.’

Above: Terese and Anton Tobin, with daughter Allana, moved to Logan from New Zealand 20 years ago.

Looking back, even she can laugh at the leap she took, joining the P&C before her daughter (now in Year 3) had even started Prep.

Cassandra Fien-Carr says the impact Terese, her friend, has on others is something she sees every day. ‘Terese is truly one in a million. She gives so much of herself to the Logan community and does it without ever expecting anything in return’.

‘She is often the first person to offer help, whether that’s delivering donations, supporting families doing it tough, or simply taking the time to check in over a coffee. She shows up with kindness and compassion, every single time,’ Cassandra says.

One of the most powerful parts of Terese’s story is her resilience. Even during one of the hardest periods of her life, when her family experienced housing instability after losing their home and everything they owned in a fire, Terese continued to show up for others.

‘Even when she was going through so much herself, she never stopped giving, that’s just who she is. Her impact on Logan is not only seen but deeply felt by everyone lucky enough to know her,’ Cassandra says.

When asked what drives her to give so much of herself to others, Terese reflects honestly saying she gets something out of helping others.

‘Often though, I don’t actually see the impact of the things I do. I hear stories in the community about how someone else’s kindness has helped, and I find myself thinking, I hope that’s how it felt when I was able to help someone’ she says.

‘People ask me, “When do you sleep?” I usually joke, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” What I mean by that is, while I’m able, I want to give as much as I can to the community and encourage others to do the same if they’re able’.

ABOVE: Terese Tobin became Berrinba East State School’s P&C president before her daughter had even started at the school.

‘Logan offers something special, a feeling of belonging that comes from community, care and shared support,’ Terese says.

After moving to Brisbane from New Zealand, Terese and her husband Anton had a two-year plan; save up large and then move back to NZ to buy a house. As they settled into Logan life, they discovered they had found a sense of belonging that has kept them here.

That was 20 years ago now and Berrinba has become a place she now can’t imagine leaving.

‘For me, it comes down to a feeling, a real sense of belonging here in Logan. It’s not just one thing; it’s the million little things,’ Terese says.

‘I couldn’t do what I do without the loving support of my husband Anton and our daughter Allana,’ she says.  Her sentiment is a reminder that behind the quiet acts of kindness that shape a community, there’s often a family making it possible.

Terese’s story is being shared during the final week of the ‘Logan Legends’, a community initiative by Logan City Council to find unsung local legends and celebrate the people who live, work or volunteer in Logan and make the city stronger.

PHOTO AT TOP: Terese and Anton Tobin with their daughter Allana.