Rotary clubs join to raise money for drought areas

The Rotary Clubs of Woy Woy and Umina Beach have joined a campaign to raise a quarter of a million dollars by Christmas to assist drought-affected communities in NSW.

"Farmers and local communities are doing it tough as they watch their crops fail, rivers and dams dry up and their stock starving and dying," said Woy Woy Rotary Club president Ms Jayne Mote.

"Some communities have even reported farmer suicides, a devastating situation for both the families and the communities.

"Central Coast Rotarians representing most of the 14 local Rotary Clubs met up on July 22, at the Gosford RSL and committed their clubs to raise and distribute at least $250,000 to desperate country communities by Christmas 2018," Ms Mote said.

"Central Coast Rotarians have formed a local committee to co-ordinate and act as a central focal point for all interested clubs, businesses and local people who wish to assist our country cousins survive this once in a lifetime crippling drought."

Ms Mote said the clubs would open a special bank account with an initial deposit of $50,000 from club funds.

"All monies raised will be distributed to local country communities via their local support groups such as Rotary, CWA, Salvation Army or any recognised local community support group that has the capacity to distribute the funds," Ms Mote said.

Source:

Media release, 23 Jul 2018

Jayne Mote, Rotary Club of Woy Woy