November 12, 2015
The Maidenwell Community Group held a free “Down With The Drought” social get-together for the district’s residents at Maidenwell Hall on Saturday, November 7.
About 130 guests got to enjoy a delicious pig on a spit and roast vegetable dinner, courtesy of the South Burnett Regional Council and the State Government.
And after dinner The Joytimes entertained the group with old-time dancing, with many of the locals – old and young alike – joining in.
Guests also shared in a range of lucky door prizes, and after the night was over every family went home with a goodies bag containing information about where to source support if the drought was leaving them feeling pressured, along with a first aid kit.
The community get-together was the latest in a series of seven similar functions that have been held around the region over the past few months.
SBRC Communities Portfolio chair Cr Ros Heit said after the Council had successfully applied for a $65,000 grant from the Department Of Communities’ Community Drought Support program, she had asked local organisations in the Durong, Mondure, Cloyna, Maidenwell, Ironpot, Kumbia and Booie areas to organise functions for residents in their areas.
The primary aim of the nights is to let local residents who live in more sparsely populated parts of the region meet and talk with their neighbours in a relaxed and informal environment.
“We applied for this grant because we know many residents living in rural parts of the South Burnett have been doing it tough the last few years,” Cr Heit said.
“If you’re isolated on your farm and don’t have much contact with the outside world, small problems can quickly grow into big ones.
“But if you can get out and connect with your neighbours, it often helps put things in perspective. You realise you’re not alone, and your problems aren’t that much different to other people’s.
“And any problem shared is usually a problem halved.”
Most of the functions have now been held, but there will be two more in the series: one at Ironpot Hall on December 19, and another at Wooroolin on January 9.
Cr Heit said Council would be applying for the same funding again for next year.
“It’s been great funding – this program actually reaches people who live in isolated areas,” she said.
- Related article: Grant Will Help Rural Communities Connect
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