Rotary District 9620 (extending from Charleville and beyond in the west to Pimpama, Redland Bay, Caloundra and Gympie in the east) commenced its Drought Relief Program in early 2014, with none of us expecting at the time that we would still be active more than nine years later! We have a charter of improving sustainability prospects for the whole of the affected communities, not just those on the land. We are also very active in promoting emotional well-being for those enduring the effects of extended drought.
Our District was one of the pioneers of drought assistance in Australia and our distribution methodology has since been copied by other entities and other Rotary Districts across the country.
We don’t do “stuff”. We do not donate items which could be purchased locally by fund recipients (e.g. groceries, hardware, pharmaceuticals and the like).
We distribute funds, predominantly through an independent third party, in the form of debit cards only able to be redeemed at businesses local to the recipient. This not only assists the farmers and graziers, but also helps the rest of their local community as those funds are circulated in turn throughout that community.
We have also previously pioneered events we call “Family Days” (sometimes under the title “Big Day Outback”). These have the aim of not only lightening the physical and financial load on the affected landholders, but also the mental load – providing some low key mental health relief. Children are a major focus at these events as well as adults.
Program Delivery
The Rotary District 9620 Drought Relief Program is delivered using our “Whole of Community” approach. Aid is broken down to 3 main areas:
- Community Support Card System
- Family Days
- Rotary Reading Assistance Program
The District 9620 Program has raised in excess of $4 million so far. We are most grateful for this generosity and sincerely acknowledge and thank those who have given to the fund, whatever the amount. All funds raised are used in the provision of aid to drought-affected landholders and their communities. There are no costs, hidden or otherwise.
To Donate
Donate direct to the District Fund – no tax deduction and no charges: - See the detailed program document.
Relief Focus
The Rotary Clubs of Roma, Mitchell, St George and Chinchilla and the former Charleville club have been the front line of our efforts, with around 352000 square kilometres (about 600km x 600km) or nearly 20% of the area of Queensland under their wing. These clubs have been working within the local communities to deliver relief, using ‘Third Parties’ to identify recipients. This takes the onus off individual Rotarians and Clubs to personally identify people in need, adding a level of anonymity and more importantly governance.
Third Party involvement is mainly through the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS). RFCS Counsellors are front line, able to identify potential recipients through their files and day to day contact with rural property owners. Aid is only distributed to owner-operated properties.
We have also been active in the Darling Downs, Southern Downs and South Burnett regions during the height of the drought.
Community Support Card System
District 9620 developed the “Voucher System” for delivery of aid to Drought Affected Rural Property owners through purchases at local business using redeemable vouchers. This system has set the model for financial relief to rural towns and communities across Australia ever since.
In 2019, our District adapted the Voucher System into the digital age by introduction of plastic gift cards only redeemable on EFTPOS terminals at the recipient’s local business houses through use of “closed loop” zone technology.
This move has been well received for providing an improved level of anonymity for recipients as well as lessening the level of paperwork required from businesses.
The Community Support Card system works generally as follows:
- Rotary, thanks to its supporting donors, finances batches of Community Support Cards for each local business zone e.g. Balonne Shire.
- Third Party e.g. RFCS identifies needy recipients through its files or questionnaires. Rotary takes no part in this dispassionate identification.
- Rotary provides numbered Community Support Cards to be forwarded to recipients by the Third Party.
- Recipient then attends local businesses and makes purchases over a period of time to the total value of the Community Support Card.
- Business receives direct credit from each purchase (cash in the bank!).
Whole of Community
The Rotary relief effort is designed to assist not only farmers and graziers severely drought-affected, but to also to provide relief to their local communities.
An early decision was made to avoid getting involved in sending “stuff” to the drought-affected, since “stuff” can be detrimental to local businesses as the goods are brought in and not purchased locally.
These businesses are also suffering and most are carrying debt with little or no support.
This matches the Rotary ethos of sustainability – doing what we can for the “WHOLE OF COMMUNITY”.
It has been said that funds spent locally will circulate within the small community some 5 to 7 times before leaching out. This means that each $100 spent locally effectively converts to over $500.00 worth of benefit. We have received many testimonials from affected property owners and local businesses praising this initiative and our support for their local communities.
Family Days
A serious problem of suicide and mental health issues in drought areas has been identified, especially amongst younger folk. To help combat this, Clubs have run a series of “Family Days” where the small local community can come together and share in a relaxed no cost environment.
These are held in the local community hall, sporting club or similar, often supported by local businesses.
Whole of community is invited, not just the local property owners. Entertainment, “pampering stations”, activities and games for the children are included, as well as a BBQ and drinks for all.
Participants are encouraged to mingle with each other and generally share their experiences.
Example Family Day Flyer - Bymount 2020
Rotary Reading Assistance Program (RRAP)
Young children in drought affected areas are sent an age appropriate book each month “address personalised”.
At present there are 125 on the roll, waiting eagerly each month for “THEIR” book. The majority of books are donated by Rotary Clubs and postage costs are met by the fund.
Adopt-A-Community
More recently, our District has introduced an “Adopt-a-Community” scheme, in which city-based clubs and organisations are encouraged to develop working partnerships with rural communities using supportive principles aimed at creating real benefit. Contact us for more details.
Current Fundraising and the Future
Donations continue to be received, including sometimes from unlikely sources across Australia.
Our District will endeavour to be allocated any funds available, in recognition of the ongoing need in our area and our track record of successful distribution and governance.
Fridge Magnets funded by the Drought Relief Program. The background image is the winning entry from a schools competition.
Celebrate Paul Harris on Facebook
