It was the turn of the community of Thargomindah to feel the generosity of the Australian public when the Drought Angels rolled into town on the weekend.
The organisation, newly granted charity status, sent five trucks loaded with hay, dog and chook food purchased at Warrego Produce in Cunnamulla, groceries and pre-paid local shop vouchers, along with two hairdressers, two remedial massage therapists, and a number of regular volunteers from Chinchilla, Ilfracombe and Brisbane.
According to Tash Johnston, 17 producers benefited from the initiative.
“We were approached by the community to see if we could help out,” she said. “It’s not raining cash or cows and while people aren’t in need of hay as much now, they still need help with goods.”
She spent part of this week in the Birdsville region, where Gippsland 4x4 Club members were preparing to do a fundraiser for Drought Angels, and was looking at areas the group hasn’t been to, to date.
They started the year with an event for the Mitchell/Nebine area, and have also been to Ilfracombe and Cork Station, Winton this year, along with Boulia and Isisford in the past.
Tash said she thought there would be a Drought Angels run around Cunnamulla near Christmas time.
“Having charity status will mean that we can apply for grants and grow a bit more,” she said.
“We could employ people and go full-time, so we can get on the road and visit rather than doing everything by phone calls.”
Ilfracombe returns the favour
The Drought Angels did their first run to Ilfracombe two years ago, and the kindness shown at the time has prompted three residents to get involved in the movement.
“We thought it was a great thing that happened to us,” Michael Schmidt said. “This is our giving back.
“And we recognise that without farmers, our businesses in town wouldn’t survive. They’re essential for our businesses.”
He and Joe Lewis and Julie Hogan travelled down to Thargomindah and back on the weekend to help out, with Joe taking his DJ gear and spinning a few tunes.
Although they admired green paddocks all the way there and back, they said they recognised it would be a couple of years before things would pick up properly.
“This is just weed at the moment, and people don’t have stock,” said Julie.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
