Community and Lifestyle

$40,000 raised at drought-relief dinner at Qld’s Parliament House

Beef Central, 14/11/2015

The #BootTheDrought dinner hosted by the Rural Press Club of Queensland on the Speaker’s Green at Parliament House on Friday night has raised $40,000 for rural charities helping families and communities in drought affected regions across Queensland.

About 350 patrons put on their black ties and best boots and enjoyed a great night of food, drink, entertainment and a charity auction with proceeds going to three charities – the Western Queensland Drought Appeal; Queensland Country Women’s Association, and Buy A Bale Rural Press.

Ball 2Club President, Brendan Egan said it was the first time the Club had held a function at Parliament House and acknowledged the great support from Speaker, Peter Wellington MP, and all MPs in particular, Ian Rickuss (Lockyer) and Jim Maddern (Ipswich West) who were an integral part of the organising committee.

Mr Egan said in another first, the Speaker’s Green was turned into a unique rural setting with a John Deere tractor, life-size fibreglass bulls and moving images from Western Queensland projected onto the side of Parliament House.

“Australian music legend, Graeme Connors along with bush poet Dennis Scanlon and Celtic bush band the Life of Reilly entertained the crowd throughout the night.

“One of the highlights was the charity auction led by Roma auctioneer, Cyril Close which raised $22,000 alone, thanks to the generous support of both prize donors and bidders on the night.

Mr Egan said it was a special night to come together to raise money to support fellow Queenslanders suffering from the devastating drought still gripping 80 percent of the State.

“It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the vital role and contribution of our State’s rural industries inside Queensland’s Parliament House,” he said.

Mr Egan thanked their dinner and auction sponsors including Super Butcher, Raptis Seafood, Rocky Point Prawns, Clovely Estate Wines, Fortitude Brewing Co, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Toowoomba Party Hire, Natureworks, AVIdeas, TopX Roma, Graeme Connors, The Life of Reilly Band, Dennis Scanlon, Vanderfield, Mike Williams Country Clothing, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, RM Williams, The Speaker Hon. Peter Wellington MP, Hon. Bill Byrne MP, Michael Hart MP, Michael Crandon MP, John Elliott Photography, Queensland Rugby League, Qantaslink, The Famous North Gregory Hotel, The Vision Splendid Outback Tour Co, Kinnon & Co Longreach, and the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists.

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