ROTARIANS have visited Eulo in south-western Queensland bringing food, hampers and a little extra Christmas spirit after the Wellington Point Rotary Club raised $20,000 for drought relief.
The money was put towards resources for the local primary school as well as hampers and vouchers for families, which were delivered by about 15 members on a recent trip out west.
"It's a cause that's in all our hearts at the moment (and) we were really grateful and humbled to be in a position to assist with this," Wellington Point Rotary president Catherine Smith said.
"While those that are experiencing drought, farmers and producers have a very different lifestyle than in our local area, there's also a lot of commonality between those communities because it's been a really vivid example of Aussie spirit and Rotary's motto of service above self."
A sold-out fundraising dinner was held in October, and along with donations from community groups like the Alexandra Hills Men's Shed, the club raised $10,000.
"This total was doubled because Wellington Point Rotary was successful in receiving a Rotary Compassionate Grant which enabled us to have those funds matched dollar for dollar," Ms Smith said.
The Paroo Shire - which includes Cunnamulla, Eulo, Wyandra and Yowah - is part of more than two thirds of Queensland which is drought declared.
Rotarians from Wellington Point and Redlands Bayside clubs, as well as Cr Wendy Boglary, made the long trek out west in a demonstration of their support.
"Once in Eulo we filled the hall with the donations and held a party at the Eulo Queen Hotel which was also funded with Redlands donations for the local folk," Cr Boglary said.
"The Black Dog guys also rode their bikes out to Eulo... During the night they had some meaningful conversations with locals concerning mental health and tactics.
"Like everyone, people need know others care and are watching out for them."
The group also gave a friendship Christmas star to the Eulo community as a reminder that the Redlands cared.
"Seeing the faces on the children when the star was turned on made for a very special moment," Cr Boglary said.
Ms Smith said Eulo and the surrounding communities had been welcoming and very appreciative.
"Along the way, there was further investment in other local economies such as in St George when the group passed through there," she said.
"In our mission to help the Eulo township and their needs, this also has a flow-on effect to the surrounding areas, for example Cunnamulla and Thargomindah."
Ms Smith thanked the Alexandra Hills Men's Shed, Redlands Museum and the Redlands community for their efforts in the fundraising process.
