SPORT has often been regarded as a much-needed element for the wellbeing of rural communities, and nowhere was this more evident than at Blackall on the weekend.
The local junior rugby league team received a promise of $15,000 for a bus, the Royal Flying Doctor Service was the beneficiary of a percentage of gate takings, and drought relief vouchers were contested.
The Queensland Rugby League rolled into town to play one of seven Intrust Super Cup games as part of its Country Week initiative, bringing 350 juniors together in the process.
At the end of the day QRL central division president Danny Maguire announced that it was supporting the Blackall Junior Rugby League in its endeavour to purchase a bus for inter-town travel to help relieve the financial pressure on parents putting fuel in their own cars for round trips of up to 800 kilometres.
The extreme drought conditions in the region mean that money-making opportunities are few and far between, and so the announcement was greeted with relief.
Together with $22,000 from a bull ride held in Blackall in March, it will make the bus a reality.
The gesture gives weight to the words of QRL Head of Football Neil Wharton, who said Country Week was about much more than seven games of football.
Jenny Richardson (centre) with Deanne Carter and her daughter Maddie Carter, all of Blackall, boosting the crowd numbers for the big weekend of football. Click on the image to view a gallery from the event.
The QRL was this season able to broaden the round’s reach through its support of the RFDS, donating a percentage of gate takings from all venues to the aeromedical retrieval service.
RFDS CEO Nino Di Marco said it was a natural partnership as a lot of what his service did was around mental health and promoting better health and well-being in rural and remote communities.
“I think everyone is aware that 80 percent of the state is drought declared. That creates a lot of hardship for people living in rural areas, so what we’re trying to do is create a lot more community activity," he said.
“Engaging with the Queensland Rugby League and promoting a good healthy lifestyle which includes sport is a great way for us to achieve this.”
The Central West Rugby League has been running a Kick for Cash competition at its games this year in conjunction with Suncare, giving a person the opportunity to kick a goal and receive vouchers.
“It encourages people to get out to games and helps local businesses,” Suncare coordinator Ingrid Miller said.
“It focuses on things that men are likely to be involved in.”
The CWRL is also planning a drought relief dinner and coaching clinic at Ilfracombe on October 10, featuring Melbourne Storm player Billy Slater.