Barcaldine's betting pavilion the venue for pray for rain event

Situated in the heart of country suffering from prolonged drought conditions, the combined Barcaldine churches have taken the opportunity to organise the event, complete with a band and guest speaker.

To increase the odds of success, they’re holding it under the racecourse betting pavilion, which adjoins what is sure to be a busy sheep pavilion.

According to one of the organisers, Stephen Moloney, prayers with faith are sure odds to restore fortunes with good seasonal rain, despite some fortunes having been lost at the betting ring over the years.

As well as a band, comprising of people from Longreach to Springsure playing a variety of music, Cloncurry’s Keith Douglas will be sharing a message.

Currently a real estate businessman and cattle property owner, Stephen said Keith had lived many lives as a butcher shop and secondhand shop owner, in various grazing adventures with sheep and cattle, as well as contract mustering and horse-breaking.

“He’s been a poet, a writer, an evangelist, a bull-rider, a rodeo announcer and a commentator for all kinds of functions,” he said.

“He has been a shire councillor for over 20 years, and ran for both state and federal elections.  

“In all he has done, the experience he had at a rodeo in 1983 has been his driving force and his strength, and he enjoys telling people what accepting Jesus into his life has meant to him.”

The Prayer for Rain event will take place on Tuesday, September 12 at 2.30pm, following the Westech ladies luncheon, to enable graziers to participate.