Seeing carfuls of tourists and visiting families with smiles on their faces beginning to fill the streets and shops again on a recent trip to Longreach has prompted Ingrid Miller to start a campaign to recognise that and say thanks.
The influx is an especially welcome sight after western Queensland communities locked themselves down at the end of March and had to make the painful call to ask tourists to stay away and not use the outback as a coronavirus retreat.
Ms Miller, who is also a newly-elected Barcoo Shire councillor, said it had been so good to hear shop owners say their over-the-counter trade was finally returning.
"One business owner was telling me they had a family from Brisbane in and the kids, who'd never been out west before, were loving it all," she said.
"That support of our region for their holidays helps our local businesses and tourist attractions, who really need supporting for what remains of the tourist season.
"These visitors could've travelled anywhere else in Queensland but they've chosen our region - I thought it would be something positive to do, to show our thanks for that."
Ms Miller has devised a simple thumbs up sign with the message "Thank you for choosing western Queensland" for the shout out, which she has encouraged people to download from Dropbox.
"You can display this sign in your local business for all to see - put it in your front windows, on your counters, post it on your social media or place it wherever you want," she said.
She was also aware that the Bulloo Shire Council had proactively sent the PDF to all businesses in Thargomindah to use.
"It was looking like there was not going to be any tourist season at all for a while," she said.
"Being open to Queenslanders has been better than nothing and that's about to be relaxed more.
"We should absolutely welcome people here and thank them for coming now."
Her idea has received the thumbs-up from the community - comments such as "very thoughtful and appreciative" and "great initiative" have been posted to her message, and one has even asked for car stickers.