'BEFORE too long' - by September 25 - Queensland's drought-stricken west is expecting a big influx of visitors to enjoy a concert featuring rock music legend Paul Kelly at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach.
The event, along with a huge day out to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Longreach races, is being promoted as a practical way of helping the bush overcome one of the worst droughts in years.
"The main thing we want to do is raise awareness and get some money flowing through our towns," organiser Danny Sheehan said.
"Rural land changes hands regularly but, once a town's infrastructure crumbles, it's pretty catastrophic.
"We're desperately trying to build awareness of what's happening and get people out here.
"They'll be entertained royally but will also be buying locally and putting much-needed cash into our economy."
Many western Queensland communities are reporting a drastic reduction in business turnover, down as much as 80 per cent, as graziers destock their properties and lose the ability to produce an income.
School enrolments are falling in many centres as families depart the bush as jobs dry up.
Danny said a huge crowd was expected in Longreach for the weekend, which had already been preparing to have a big party in acknowledgement of one of its most long-serving industries - horse racing.
The Longreach Cup race meeting has been giving people a day out for 125 years.
Combined with the concert on the Friday night with Paul Kelly, his nephew Dan Kelly and country music star Troy Cassar-Daly, the 100 seats on the Alliance Airlines plane made available for the weekend flight west from Brisbane are expected to fill up fast.
A similar package in July that took in some of western Queensland's iconic tourist destinations as well as a day at the Ilfracombe races was a best-seller.
Danny said the three entertainers had offered their services for free, an indication of the passion they had for the bush and its survival.
