CLEVELAND Sharks Bowls Club have been thanked for their generosity during a trip to the drought-affected town of Yarraman, north of Toowoomba.
The 41 bowlers that attended injected some much needed money into the local economy through things like bowls days, restaurant dinners, drinks and accommodation at a motel and caravan park.
Organiser Betty Clarke said she was overwhelmed by the number of bowlers that wanted to go on the trip.
She said a highlight of the tour was a visit to the Royal Hotel pub for dinner.
"The owner was very nervous because their Thursday night trade would be three people at a guess," Clarke said.
"By the end she was so overcome with emotion, almost in tears and very appreciative of us visiting.
"She gave us a hug, took photos and posted them of Facebook thanking us for having dinner there.
"A group of us stayed in the bar until fairly late drinking Baileys over ice.
"Everyone spent up. All in all everyone couldn't thank us enough. We came home feeling very good."
The Sharks played friendly bowls matches with players from local clubs, giving them the opportunity to hear personal accounts of how the drought had affected their livelihoods.
"The conversations during our games were very different to normal," Clarke said.
"We were blown away by the struggles that these people and their kids are going through."
The group also visited Nanango for bowls and drove through Toogoolawah, Esk and Fernvale on the way home.
Members who could not make the trip raised $450 for the Queensland Country Women's Association.
Read more local sport news here.
