What began as a simple game of footy between mates has raised up to $35,000 for Drought Angels.
The staff at Opal Creek feedlot at Oakey were keen for a game, according to Ben Schweitzer, but when he sent the Millmerran Rams an invitation in August, the women of the town took the idea and ran with it.
What they ended up with on Saturday afternoon at the Millmerran sports oval were three matches – a masters game for the over 35s between the Old Rams and a combined Inglewood-Texas team, an under 16s game for the Pittsworth Danes and a ‘Millwood’ combination team, and the open game between Opal Creek Feedlot and the Millmerran Rams as the grand finale.
For some such as Ben, it was an add-on to their regular games in the Toowoomba competition but for some, it was their first game in 26 years.
It brought out a crowd the likes of which Millmerran hasn’t seen for years, tons of goodwill and plenty of financial generosity.
From the auction of the 40 jerseys worn by the two open teams, a whopping $23,495 was made.
With funds from a multi-draw, gold coin gate entry, footy doubles and $10 from each stallholder, organisers are hopeful of giving a final amount of between $30,000 and $35,000 for Drought Angels.
According to Ali Meddings, the community is made up of farmers and the industries that rely on farming – transport operators and the like – all of whom have been feeling the pinch big time in the current drought.
“One of our committee works at Heritage Bank, that does a lot with Drought Angels, and she suggested them,” Ali said. “We agreed it was a good cause and thought it was likely that help would come back to our region.”
Although no-one wants to see the continuation of this natural disaster, both Ali and Ben hoped the afternoon would become an annual event.
And for the record, Millmerran won Saturday’s game.
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