Rainbow Beach aids drought stricken farmers
Marilyn Dean collected goods for farmers to load on Tonys Stewart’s Ute – ready to transport to Longreach
Tony Stewart has been loading his Ute with goods collected by Marilyn Dean. “This is our second big load of goods to go to Longreach, and hopefully not the last,” Tony told Community News.
The drought in Western Queensland has entered its fourth year and shows no sign of abating. State Government assistance has not been sufficient to provide relief to struggling farmers, and no stock and no water means no income.
“Many families will walk away with nothing. They can’t pay bills, some have committed suicide, and many are on suicide watch.”
The Drought Angels at Chinchilla and Aussie Helpers at Charleville are flat out coordinating supplies. From January 9, over 110 large semi trailer loads of hay, all of which has been donated from New South Wales with no fuel or labour costs to the drought stricken farmers.
“Many of these farming families have holidayed at Rainbow Beach over the years, and when good times return, I’m sure they will remember the help given from here and they will return. Thank you all.”
The donations include boxes of toiletries, kids toys and books, homemade fruit cake and biscuits. Christmas cakes from TCB Lion’s Club, Tony and his wife Rosie also provided plum puddings and $500 cash.
“We’ve also delivered fifteen dozen eggs, freshly baked biscuits, pumpkins and potatoes from TCB Bakery, toiletries from The Gympie Mental Health workers, and biscuits from Rainbow/Cooloola Wholesalers,” Tony said.
They hope to send another load towards the end of January. Visitors over Christmas may see drought donation boxes about – any help would be appreciated. Please call Tony on 5486 8666 or Marilyn Dean on 5486 3432 or 0427 358 744 to find out more.
