The enormous outpouring of goodwill seen earlier this year for Australians in the grip of drought is reaching its mark this month as Rotary Club members visit small communities across the west to share donations and Christmas cheer.
One of the latest was at the Scrubby Creek sports complex in the mulga between Blackall and Adavale, where children and adults alike were showered with gifts and good wishes on Saturday night.
After a day of clay target shooting, it was time for participants from Charleville, Tambo, Adavale, Cooladdi, Toompine, Blackall and even Muttaburra to let their hair down with the Rotary-supplied DJ and music.
It’s the fourth year in succession that Rotary clubs around western Queensland have lightened the load of drought and constantly feeding stock with goodies such as hams, movies, music, catering and jumping castles, to give families a break.
Charleville Rotary Club president, Ric Newson, distributing vouchers for Christmas spending in local businesses, said he was sorry that it was necessary to be back again.
“Please use the vouchers as quickly as possible so that everyone gets a boost before Christmas, and so that when this drought comes to an end, we’re all still here,” he said.
In the spirit of helping local business, gorgeous gift boxes from Outback Scents and Handmade Soaps, made in Charleville, were distributed to around 30 women on the night.
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Charleville Rotary has so far been to Cooladdi, Eulo, Adavale and Scrubby Creek, and has Wyandra, Thargomindah, Augathella and Toompine still on its schedule.
In the Longreach region, club members have shared Christmas cheer at Morella, Ilfracombe, the Longreach School of Distance Education school musical, Jundah, Stonehenge and Lake Dunn.
Results:
50 target points and reverse points: C grade – Mullie, Charleville; B grade – Clint Abel, Tambo; AA grade – Dave Picone, Scrubby Creek; overall – Pat Saunders, Charleville.
Double barrel: 1st – Dave Lehmann, Charleville; 2nd – Mullie, Charleville.
Single barrel: Front marker – Sally Gall, Blackall; 2nd – Pat Bredhauer, Scrubby Creek; 1st – Nick Chicolais, Charleville.
Handicap points (Turnbull Memorial): Front marker – George Doyle, Tambo; 2nd – Dave Picone, Scrubby Creek; 1st – Roger Hirsch, Scrubby Creek.
In the Gully (Jon Doyle Memorial): Front marker – Shane Goodman, Charleville; 3rd – Brad Marks, Scrubby Creek; 2nd – Scott Bredhauer, Scrubby Creek; 1st – Matt Marks, Scrubby Creek.
Overalls: Front marker – Chris Turnbull, Tambo; junior – Molly Turnbull, Tambo; ladies – Tammy Picone, Scrubby Creek; overall – Dave Picone, Scrubby Creek.
Bredhauer Memorial (club member 2018 overall best score): Anna Hirsch.
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.
