GLENRAC has finished a drought blitz.
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Over a period of just three months, the landcare group organised 22 events, with 556 participants, raising $28,100 and throwing 16 community dinners to fight the drought.
One of their most popular projects has been the time out from the dry dinners, which notched up 160 participants.
The idea was for drought-affected individuals to front up at a local establishment, have dinner and a chat and help fight potential isolation. GLENRAC subsidised the bill.
One participant, Will Newberry, had dinner at Glen Innes' Grand Central Hotel.
"At a time when everyone is feeling the stress of the drought at work and at home, time out from the dry was a great excuse to catch up with family and friends over dinner and drinks, while also supporting a great local food place."
But with federal funding support drying up as of the end of June, the organisation is now exploring how to continue helping more than 30 farm businesses a month access freight, water and infrastructure rebates they're entitled to.
GLENRAC was given a $100,000 subsidy by the Federal government through the Glen Innes Severn Council, which allowed them to hire a full time equivalent drought support officer to help farmers navigate the often bureaucratic mess of drought support services, as well as financial assistance through Drought Aid, St Vincent's de Paul, the CWA and more.
"This is the first time GLENRAC have offered this service and the numbers demonstrate a real need for assistance, even if it is as simple as saving time with our staff scanning tax invoices and submitting forms online," said landcare coordinator Kylie Falconer.
"The process has been integral in developing the confidence of attendees to 'have a go' at submitting subsequent rebate claims."
GLENRAC also held a men's health event featuring motor sporting legend Dick Johnson, farmer information evenings, a number of rural adversity mental health workshops and nine smoko events in Glencoe, Deepwater, Wellingrove, Emmaville and Pinkett
The landcare group have successfully secured a grant from the local health network to continue offering time out from the dry dinners. The team are also considering offering weekly half-day rebate assistance sessions.