LONGREACH airport's tarmac is going to be crowded with big planes in a couple of Fridays' time as the city converges on the bush to support communities doing it tough in the drought.
For the past four years, City to Bush has been filling a private 100-seater plane and taking community leaders from Brisbane to country locations in need.
Twice that destination has been to communities reeling from the shock of floods - St George and Bundaberg - and twice it has been to Longreach to help alleviate the effects of drought.
This time around the Longreach Jockey Club is showing that famous bush resilience and celebrating its 125th anniversary, a perfect excuse for City to Bush to round up its most passionate racing enthusiasts to head west and raise money for drought assistance in the process.
Organiser Shea Morrison said that major sponsor U-Bet had already pledged $25,000 to the cause and had rounded up 50 racing fans, while Westpac had come on board with $35,000.
"When that plane is in the air on Friday afternoon, we'll be saying to passengers, walk around Longreach when you get there and put your hand in your pocket," Shea said. "They've been saving up to buy that Akubra or to see that tourist destination - they are all ways they can assist."
Four different accommodation houses have also been booked out on the Friday night. As well as supporting the concert featuring Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daley at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame on Friday, a number of major auction items will be up for grabs for participants, including a trip to Hong Kong.
Money raised from the weekend will be channelled through online giving platform GIVIT, which is distributing funds directly to charities on the frontline.
The racing patrons supporting the drought relief effort will run a calcutta on the Longreach Cup at the Birdcage Hotel before heading off to the concert, where U-Bet will have a mobile betting van and a television screen set up in a separate location for NRL finals fans.
TPD Media will also be filming the event for their Creek to Coast television program.
"We're going to take a bit of the city to the bush and give people lots of fun along the way," Shea said.