DCOP on tour through the Murraylands.
The Drought Communities Outreach Program is now continuing to assist people in rural areas that have been affected by drought. The areas that we travelled through last week are still in drought, a drought that has lasted over 4 years.
Our touring team of Jerry and Briony Casburn, and Sam and Elizabeth Cozens was supported by the Commonwealth Government through the RAWCS organisation to distribute $500 debit cards to drought affected families in Lameroo, Alawoona, Nildottie, Sedan, and Palmer. We made contact with 179 farmers, farm workers, and farm contractors in the first instance to give them a small encouragement boost with the $500, but equally important bring them in contact with a range of other support organisations who were travelling along with us.
In total an amount of $89,500 was injected into the local community, and we trust that the various government and private agencies were able to give advice to support these important businesses in the short term, and planning advice for longer term viability.
This is an example of Rotarians in action. Story and photo Rotarian Sam Cozens.