WA Businessman Pays For Strangers’ Fuel In Perth

Monty Van der Berg, a Western Australian construction company owner, has spent the first week of April 2026 paying for the fuel of several strangers in Perth to help them manage the rising cost of living.

The businessman’s actions took place at a BP petrol station in Currambine, located in the north of Perth. During a visit around 10:30 pm on Monday, April 7, 2026, Van der Berg noticed a driver who had only purchased $7 worth of fuel, prompting him to begin paying for other motorists’ tanks.

Van der Berg provided financial assistance to four different motorists during the week, with the total cost of the fuel exceeding $500. Among those he helped was Rachel Rose Greville, a single mother of two who works three jobs and spends her entire income on necessities.

Ms. Greville had intended to put only $20 of fuel in her tank because her fuel light was on. She reported being approached by Van der Berg, who told her to fill her tank completely and then accompanied her to the cashier to pay the bill.

In addition to Ms. Greville, Van der Berg covered the fuel costs for a retail worker who had been working multiple double shifts and another man who was entering the service station store.

Motivation for Generosity

Van der Berg stated that his decision to pay it forward was rooted in his own past experiences with financial hardship. He noted that he previously lived week to week and now wishes to use his current position as a business owner to assist others facing economic pressure.

Don’t get me wrong, $100 still means something to me, but it means a whole lot more to other people. I do what I can do to make a difference for them,

Monty Van der Berg to ABC

The timing of these gestures coincides with a surge in petrol prices, which have been driven higher by conflict in the Middle East. Van der Berg expressed a desire to ease the cost of living pressures currently squeezing many Australians and indicated he would continue to help for as long as he is able.

Broader Trends of Kindness in Perth

While Van der Berg’s actions were spontaneous, other residents in Perth have also engaged in similar acts of generosity. On April 1, 2026, Kathryn Denny, a makeup artist and social media influencer, filmed herself paying for the full tank of fuel for an elderly woman.

Denny stated that her actions were motivated by an awareness of her own privilege and a desire to spread gratitude as people struggle with international conflict and rising fuel costs. Following the event, Denny announced she would select a follower in genuine need to receive a fuel voucher, leading to a high volume of responses from individuals sharing stories of financial hardship.