ONLY 12 seats are left on the 100-seater Fokker 100 jet donated by Alliance Airlines and heading for Longreach this weekend to spearhead a drought relief fundraising weekend of racing and tourism.
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Organiser Danny Sheehan said city people were responding really well to the message of how the bush was struggling, which has seen a third major sporting prize added to the list to be auctioned off at dinner when the group arrives.
As well as a package for six to the Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day with accommodation and airfares, and another package for six to the men’s and women’s finals at the Australian Open 2016, inclusive of airfares and accommodation, Cricket Australia has donated an air-conditioned suite for 12, fully catered, for the first day of the first Test at the Gabba later this year.
Other coastal regions are also taking drought assistance into their own hands. Last weekend, 14 members of the Sarina RSL, with assistance from the town’s Bendigo Bank, hired a bus to travel west to Longreach for a weekend of shopping.
They spread themselves between motels and eating places and made a number of significant purchases to inject cash into the community.
“The key to what we’re trying to do is kick tills over in shops,” Western Queensland Drought Appeal spokesman Bill Ringrose said.
“Business turnover is down between 40 and 80 per cent and businesses are trying their hardest to hang onto staff.”
Mr Sheehan said a fully-booked plane arriving this Friday would be welcomed with open arms as well.
Beginning on Friday, July 10 the flight will take people to Longreach for an inside view of the latest attractions at Australia’s premier heritage institution, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, before cruising the Thomson River and dining under the stars with live music on the river bank.
Saturday will begin with a barbecue breakfast in Longreach’s Eagle Street, where visitors can mingle with locals and find that last-minute accessory for their racing outfit.
Lunch is at Ilfracombe’s iconic Wellshot Hotel to warm up for the 122nd annual Ilfracombe Picnic Race Club meeting, sporting a black and white theme to match the landscape.
On Sunday, visitors will be treated to breakfast and a tour of the Qantas Founders Outback Museum before their flight back to Brisbane at the end of an unforgettable weekend.
All money raised will be spent in western Queensland communities.
●The cost is $990pp twin share or $1150 single. For booking enquiries and more information, email lmi@outbacklongreach.com.au or call (07) 4658 2322.
