THE Rural Press Club's Boot the Drought dinner on the Speaker’s Green at Parliament House raised more than $40,000 for those doing it tough in the bush.
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 Club 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, and all MPs in particular, Ian Rickuss MP (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,” Mr Egan said.
“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,” Mr Egan said.
Sponsors included: Super Butcher, Raptis Seafood, Rocky Point Prawns, Clovely Estate Wines, Fortitude Brewing Company, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Toowoomba Party Hire, Natureworks, AVIdeas, ABC Landline, TopX Roma, Graeme Connors, The Life of Reilly Band, Dennis Scanlon, Vanderfield, Mike Williams Country Clothing, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, R.M.Williams, Speaker Peter Wellington MP, 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 Company, Kinnon & Co Longreach, and the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists.