September 2, 2015
by Melissa Barnett
When former Murgon Uniting Church minister Rev. Jenny Coombes and her husband were transferred west to Longreach, they didn’t expect they would be supporting their far-flung community through a devastating cycle of flood and drought.
For the past year, the couple have been assisting Longreach and its surrounding communities with a unique and innovative fund-raising venture.
After consultation with community members, the pair decided what was needed most in the drought-ravaged district was financial support for local businesses.
“There is a massive cash flow reduction in the community and many of the local retail businesses and sporting clubs are finding it difficult to keep operating,” Rev. Coombes explained.
The Longreach people decided that the best way for others to help them was to donate funds which could be converted to Visa cards for use at local businesses.
The Barambah Branch of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) held a morning tea last week to do just that: raise funds for conversion to Visa cards.
QRRRWN member Narelle Cheshire said that all funds raised are being sent to the Western Queensland Drought Appeal, which converts them into Visa cards that can be collected from local Australia Post offices, or sent by Australia Post to needy families.
This way the recipients have some control over where and how the funds are used.
Rev. Coombes believes this aspect is important.
“People need to hold on to their dignity. The Visa cards, while being a drop in the ocean financially, have been extremely important in helping the people hold on to hope.” she said.
“They also mean people from outlying areas don’t need to drive to Longreach to use a voucher – there are little towns around us that might only have a servo and they’re the only fuel/food stop for a couple of hundred kilometres.
“It is pretty important we keep those places open too, not just the ones in Longreach.”
Over $1500 was raised at the QRRRWN Barambah Branch morning tea.
“Yes, the donations are vital, but just as important is the knowledge that people in the rest of Queensland and Australia haven’t forgotten those who are struggling with drought.” Rev Coombes said.
“Many of the thank you cards I receive say these gifts and fund-raising events mean people don’t feel quite so alone anymore, and they know that people around Australia are thinking of them.”
