{"id":341620,"date":"2023-12-05T19:35:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T09:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=341620"},"modified":"2023-12-08T13:25:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T03:25:32","slug":"banding-together-raises-11000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/12\/05\/banding-together-raises-11000\/","title":{"rendered":"Banding Together Raises $11,000"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chris Pullin, who donated the Noosa Quays auction prize, with the lucky bidder, Colleen Callaghan from Blackbutt, Acting Mayor Gavin Jones (who conducted the auction) and Michael Roach, disaster co-ordinator for Lions District 201 Q4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 5, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett residents and visitors banded together in Blackbutt on Sunday to raise more than $11,000 for drought and bushfire victims.<\/p>\n

The figure – with possibly even more to roll in – was announced by Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions Club secretary Linda Little on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Blackbutt Bands Together concert was held in the Hotel Radnor’s beer garden.<\/p>\n

It was organised by local musician Warren Gould, with help from the local Lions Club, and attracted about 200 patrons across a full day of entertainment.<\/p>\n

The crowd enjoyed a smorgasbord of music provided by Rufus Jack, David Lynch, Lloyd Back, Keith Edwards, Ground Crew with Amos, Richie Arrowsmith and Paradox.<\/p>\n

Dan Newland, Lea Reyes, Tony Cisneros and Claudia Mueller provided the production duties.<\/p>\n

Many patrons also took advantage of the Radnor’s dining room and bars to top up as the music continued.<\/p>\n

Fundraising highlights were two auctions – one for a two-night stay for four people at the Noosa Quays resort, which raised $1200; and another for a signed 2012 State Of Origin Maroons jersey, which attracted $1650. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Both auctions were conducted by Acting Mayor Gavin Jones, who encouraged the crowd to bid and bid again, helping to drive up the prices.<\/p>\n

Cr Jones – who contributed $6700 from a Federal and State grant program to help fund the day – acknowledged cash donations from the Hotel Radnor ($500), Jeff and Dr Daphene Connor ($500) and Judy Campbell ($1000) and reminded patrons they could also make tax-deductible donations through a GIVIT page<\/b><\/a> which has so far added a further $4680 to the total.<\/p>\n

He praised the Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions Club for supporting the event, running the raffles (which added even more to the total) and enlisting aid from other Lions members throughout Districts 201 Q3 and Q4.<\/p>\n

Max Wilkie, from Past Tense Photography, also offered a package for auction which was snapped up by Sonia McMahon for $235.<\/p>\n

Funds from the concert will be distributed via the newly formed South Burnett Drought Support Committee, a joint initiative led by BIEDO in partnership with the South Burnett Regional Council and the Red Earth Community Foundation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The committee will distribute the funds in the form of vouchers for use at local businesses for fuel, groceries and produce.<\/p>\n