Flinders Ranges focus for Rotarian fundraiser
Thirteen local residents including three Drouin Rotarians recently undertook a four wheel drive fundraising trip through outback South Australia with a focus on the Flinders Ranges.
The trip was the seventh of its kind and is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Campbelltown in Adelaide, with the purpose of raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctors and Australian Rotary Health.
The overall number of travellers was 36 in 13 vehicles that started with an overnight stay in the old Gladstone Jail, using the cells as bedrooms and the facilities pretty much as they were before the jail closed in the mid 1970s.
From there the party travelled to Merna Mora sheep station for three nights, with day trips along some outstanding four wheel drive tracks that provided spectacular views of both the Flinders Ranges and surrounding country.
The group then moved onto Willow Springs, another sheep station and again travelling over some very rugged territory requiring the utmost care of drivers, although the experience of trip guides Mal and Val Hansen who have travelled these areas many times, was a key factor in no one coming to grief.
Each night entertainment was provided and finally the party arrived at Spear Creek just north of Port Augusta, where a final night concert was arranged with the well-known and popular country music group The Coads.
Drouin Rotary president David Proposch was a member of the group and he said, “These are great events that Drouin Rotarians have been involved with pretty much since day one.”
He added, “There is a great sense of camaraderie amongst the participants, and whilst some of the four wheel drive tracks are very challenging, requiring experienced drivers, the end result of the views and travel over those tracks make it all worthwhile.”
Fundraising is centred on each participant making a substantial donation, but also includes the auctioning of items that have been donated. With everything from wine to fine art going under the hammer over the duration of the nine day trip.
Whilst final figures are not complete, the organisers are confident that at least $30,000 was raised on this trip, bringing the total raised over the seven trips to nearly $300,000.
The trip also is beneficial to the many small country towns and station owners who are currently under pressure with low rainfall and a lack of feed for stock.
Some of the travellers stay in shearers quarters whilst the more hardy choose to camp under the stars, as station owners are opening their properties up to this type of tourism to supplement farm incomes.
Also local organisations such as hospital auxiliaries are contracted to provide catering and the purchase of goods, services and fuel is a welcomed boost to the local economies.
At this stage it is unclear if the biannual trips will continue; however it is clear that should another be organised, Drouin Rotary members will be there again to enjoy the social aspect and experience the great Australian outback.