Classic 40 Series Landcruiser convoy turning heads in western Queensland

A group of 40 Series Landcruisers is making its way around southern and western Queensland to raise money and awareness for drought, and getting as much as it's giving.

The Long Drive for Drought is the brainchild of Brent Reeman, whose day job is as the CEO of Peak Services, a Local Government Association of Queensland-owned services hub.

Through his work in regional Queensland, Mr Reeman has seen what drought has done to communities and he wanted to do something meaningful to help them.

"It was Christmas time, when you have a bit of time to think," he said.

"I'd just finished restoring a '73 Landcruiser and I wanted to take it for a big drive - those two things sort of came together.

"I thought, I could go for a drive out in some of these areas, raise some money and have a bit of fun."

When he posted the suggestion on a Facebook page devoted to 40 Series enthusiasts, the response was positive and immediate.

The nine-day 2300 kilometre road trip was originally scheduled for May, and the 14 Landcruisers and 25 people has shrunk to 10 cars and 19 participants, thanks to some not being able to cross the Queensland border, but its aim has been exceeded beyond expectations.

Setting out to raise $40,000, that target was hit halfway through the themed trip, thanks to the renowned chicken races at Tambo's Royal Carrangarra Hotel.

The new target is $45,000.

"The way we've been welcomed in to communities has just been overwhelming, they've really got behind it," Mr Reeman said.

"We came out with no expectations of anyone recognising us or acknowledging us or putting on any community events, and we didn't necessarily want any of that.

"We were just doing this to raise money and raise the profile of drought, but all the communities got right behind it and have given so much back.

"We've gone into fuel stations and filled up and the guy said, you're not going to pay for that, I'm going to give it to you and I'm going to make a donation as well.

"We've had cars fixed for free. We didn't want to take anything out but people keep giving.

"That shows the communities we're in and the type of people here."

The Long Drive for Drought has partnered with Drought Angels, which has earnt a reputation for providing personalised, heartfelt and discreet assistance through direct personal contact with drought-stricken producers.

"What's been really nice is that Tash (Johnston, Drought Angels founder) has been able to say, there's a farmer here who's had the last four or five crops fail - if they don't get this one off they're buggered, so we're going to take money out of what you raise and give it directly to them," Mr Reeman said. "So that's been even better, to see how this can help."

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Ms Johnston said while the situation had eased in NSW, people in Queensland they hadn't heard from for a year or two were beginning to apply for help again.

"Queensland is really firing up again, just needing a little bit of help, not having those crops or they'd destocked and can't get back into the market," Ms Johnston said. "And while some are doing better seasonally, financially it's going to take a few years to get back on top."

She said the donations coming in to Drought Angels had dropped off, understandably thanks to the hurt that COVID-19 was inflicting.

They will be putting the money raised this week into prepaid Visa cards, in a "focus on the house paddock" to make sure bills were paid and there was food on the table.

"Drought Angels has come to understand that those who they help are often those who are not normally inclined to reach out and battle it alone, which can lead to severe depression and in some cases suicide," Mr Reeman said.

He added that the dire situation of people and communities still in drought had been overshadowed by bushfires and the global pandemic.

"Other things will come and go but the drought's been here for eight years.

"People use the word insidious because it is, it's awful, it devastates communities.

"The bushfires were tragic and people have got to rebuild their homes and lives, but that made me really want to keep focusing on drought."

The initiative is also promoting the tourism potential of the communities they're visiting, from Texas, Dirranbandi, Cunnamulla and Augathella to Tambo, Charleville, Yuleba and Chinchilla - 18 communities in all.

Mr Reeman is driving a 1973 FJ45 that he converted to an HJ45, replacing the original petrol motor with a later model diesel motor.

"I first learnt to drive in old Landcruisers and they have always been my favourite car," he said.

He calls his "rough, noisy, smelly and slightly scary to drive" Landcruiser Jim after a fencing contractor that used to take him and his siblings out to work when they were kids in central Queensland.

"Jim was a good mate and died a few years ago so it's a little bit of a tribute to him," he said.

The convoy is obviously conjuring up plenty of happy memories for people as they pass by - Mr Reeman said everyone was tooting their horns and waving.

"If we just came out here in a bunch of modern cars, people would just go, whatever.

"But we stand out this way - it adds to it so much."

As far as future Long Drives, the website blurb describes it as the inaugural event, so watch this space and get that 40 Series trayback or troopie ready to go.