Brian and Nerida Egan lost their farm, near Dalby in southern Queensland, from a combination of drought and post traumatic stress syndrome caused by disturbing events he witnessed as a young serviceman in the 1960s. Brian spent a year in Brisbane's Greenslopes Hospital for veterans before a remark from a psychologist led to a remarkable turnaround. "Go and find somebody worse off than you are, and see if you can help them," he was told. The comment galvanised Brian and he decided, with his wife Nerida, to start a charity to take practical help right to the farm gate. He called it "Aussie Helpers''. The charity has given away half a million dollars worth of drought aid in the last financial year and even won support from a foundation in the US set up by Hollywood legend Paul Newman. Brian Egan no longer takes medication for depression and says he has 'never been happier'.
—Australian Story