Droughtbuster concert hits high note for farms
DEREK Tuffield was a proud man as he sat down to enjoy an impressive concert aimed at raising money for the Lifeline Drought Appeal.
The Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland chief executive officer was positively stoked at the number of students from across the region prepared to give up their Sunday so they could raise money for farmers doing it tough in the drought.
But judging by the happy commotion backstage, it wasn’t too much of a chore for any of them to do their bit so farmers could eat, pay their bills and put fuel in their cars.
Mr Tuffield said the Darling Downs Secondary Schools Droughtbuster Community Concert, held yesterday at the Empire Theatre, was the final major event in what had been a successful appeal.
Students and staff from 18 Darling Downs schools took part.
“This all came about when the principal of Centenary Heights State High School, Maryanne Walsh, was at a function where I was speaking about the appeal and the high demand for it,” he said.
“I ended up meeting with the combined headmasters and they said yes, they would love to be involved.”
He said despite having received some rain, the drought was far from over and calls for help from farmers had not stopped coming.
He expected the final tally from the appeal to reach the target amount of $100,000.
People can still donate by visiting www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au and clicking on the “donate now” button.