The Crossing October 21 2020

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DEB FRECKLINGTON PROMISE DROUGHT-PROOF WESTERN QUEENSLAND Deb Frecklington has promised to build the solution to drought in western Queensland if she becomes premier at the end of the month. At her campaign launch in Brisbane on Sunday, Ms Frecklington said the New Bradfield Scheme would become a "reality" under an LNP government. Releasing the first fly-through video of the proposed irrigation scheme - touted as the answer to drought in western Queensland - Ms Frecklington said Bradfield would be the biggest dam ever built in Australia. The plan to move water from the raindrenched north to the drought-declared west was first touted by Sydney Harbour Bridge architect John Bradfield in the 1930s. It was further developed by Sir Leo Hielscher and Sir Frank Moore and has been talked about by politicians across the spectrum for years. Both Sir Leo, who served as under treasurer to A new Australian Beer has launched and $2.00 from every case will be donated to the charity ‘GIVIT’ to help raise much needed funds and equipment for those living in drought-affected communities. Brewed in Goulburn, Southern NSW by award-wining Tribe Breweries, ‘Hughie’ is a light, refreshing lager made from 100 per cent Australian-grown hops and malt and makes a great, easydrinking thirst-quencher at the end of a long hot day. “The name ‘Hughie’ derives from the term “Send it down Hughie” which was a common Aussie bushman’s cry for rain at the turn of the 20th century, so it’s great to see that the money raised from the sale of Hughie can go towards helping those living in drought-affected communities today,” said Billy Ryan, category manager, craft beer, Dan Murphy’s. Since late 2018, GIVIT has spent more than $600,000 in donated relief funds to co-ordinate over 140,000 items purchased in local communities to help 12,000 people across regional NSW 15 Queensland treasurers from both sides of politics, and Sir Frank, known as "the father of Queensland tourism", attended the campaign launch on Sunday. Ms Frecklington had already committed $20 million to the LNP's modernised version of the scheme and promised to commission the CSIRO to begin advanced planning after the election. The project, which was expected to cost about $15 billion over 10 years, would need heavy federal government investment to get over the line. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has asked an expert panel headed by economist Ros Garnaut to conduct a comprehensive feasibility review of the inland irrigation scheme. At Sunday's scaled-back LNP launch, held at the Emporium Hotel in South Bank, there was no sign of former leaders Lawrence Springborg or Campbell Newman. However, the conservative party's most senior Queensland politician, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, and Brisbane lord mayor Adrian affected by drought conditions. GIVIT enables registered charities make specific requests for items required by those in need, enabling well-meaning donors to make a positive difference in the lives of those they support. GIVIT’s Drought Relief Program was established in 2018 to provide vital support to people toughing it out in relentless drought conditions. Critical to the success of GIVIT’s work in this area is to ’buy local’ when it uses financial donations to meet community needs. By supporting businesses in regional and remote towns in this way, GIVIT helps shops remain open, people keep jobs and communities and to hold onto places to connect with each other. For further information, visit: givit.org.au. “Being able to replace a water tank, mend a fence or purchase a week’s supply of groceries at the local store can make a significant positive contribution to a family dealing with drought,” said Scott Barrett, GIVIT’s NSW Manager. He said that last year was Australia’s driest on record and although some areas have received rainfall this year, it will take much more than a few showers to make any significant difference. “Drought affects everyone in regional communities; farmers, their businesses Schrinner were seated in the front row. Former premier Rob Borbidge, a member of the Nationals who became Queensland premier in 1996 after a by-election in the seat of Mundingburra, also attended the launch. Ms Frecklington used most of her address to run through a list of election promises the party had already announced, including a $300 car registration rebate, adding extra lanes to the Bruce Highway, and providing at-cost electricity to about 16,000 manufacturing businesses. She vowed to lead the state out of recession and create 150,000 jobs in Queensland after 209,000 people lost work during the pandemic. "This election will be a turning point for this state. The next state government will be in power for four years, not three," she said. "And those four years will be critical for our economic future. "The Queensland economy was in trouble long before COVID, now it is in crisis. That is what this election is about." Early voting begins across Queensland on and their families. It affects lives, live-stock and livelihoods. Whole communities are impacted: local businesses dry-up because of reduced spending and the effects run deep across generations, economically, socially and emotionally. Many of these communities are now dealing with double-whammy of drought followed by bush-fires. It doesn’t get any tougher than that.” With its strong agricultural roots in wool production, Hughie’s birth-place and home in Goulburn, has also seen the far-reaching impact of drought: “Drought really affected our local agricultural community over the last few years. It’s fantastic to be producing a drop of great-tasting Goulburn beer that is 100 per cent Australian and gives back to the community it serves,” said Anton Szpitalak, Tribe Breweries, Goulburn. Hughie is available from Dan Murphy’s and BWS RRP: $59 case; $20 6-pack; $4.00 each. For further information visit: www.hughiebeer.com.au. Pictured: Scott Barrett from GIVIT with the ‘Highie’ beer. Monday. Pictured: Deb Frecklington. NEW BEER HELPS RAISE MONEY FOR DROUGHT- AFFECTED FARMING COMMUNITIES Advertise in The Crossing NOW - Call 0411 896 004 THE CROSSING - Wednesday October 21, 2020 - Page 2
PARK UPGRADES CONTINUE TO BRANCH OUT IN MEANDARRA Leo Gordon Apex Park in Meandarra will be revitalised with new facilities and extensive landscaping as part of Western Downs Regional Council’s local stimulus package to create jobs and boost the liveability of the region. Works to enrich the popular park will include new picnic shelters, a BBQ shelter, walkways, new trees, turfing and irrigation throughout the space. Council Spokesperson for Recreational Spaces and Cemeteries Councillor Carolyn Tillman said once complete, the project would benefit locals and visitors alike. “Leo Gordon Park is a very popular spot in our community and it’s in a prime position to welcome travellers passing through the beautiful town of Meandarra,” Cr Tillman said. “It is important that we continue to maintain our parks and open spaces right across the region as they are a valued part of the community and play a big role in the liveability for our residents. “The completed project will not only provide a more modern space for our community to enjoy but will also entice our visitors to stop and stay a little longer in our towns.” The Leo Gordon Apex Park upgrade is included in Council’s extensive COVID-19 Recovery Package and will support local business with the majority of materials and labour sourced within the Western Downs. Construction is expected to commence during the first week of November. To find out more about upcoming Council projects visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au or contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624). THE FACEBOOK GROUP THAT CHANGED SMALL BUSINESS FOREVER FOR RURAL AUSTRALIA The Facebook group that was created by Jenn Donovan, called Buy From a Bush Business, turns 1 on October 31 st 2020. In one year, Jenn has taken her online community, which supports rural small businesses from NO members to 285,000 members, and still growing at 100’s a week. Jenn, a farmer’s wife and marketing thought leader, who lives in the Riverina of NSW, tells how she was driving home from a marketing tour, with her business, of the Riverina back in October 2019, when she came up with the idea of a Facebook group to support rural small business owners. “Buy From the Bush was a hashtag that people were starting to know about but didn’t know how to get involved with. It was the most common question all week during my workshop tour of Narrandera, Wagga Wagga, Moulamein and Hay”, says Jenn. “I lived and was working in drought country – years of drought had hit these (and many other) towns hard. It was coming up Christmas and no one was looking forward to it.” “I know as an ex-retailer, that if farmers don’t have money, towns don’t have money – so no one really expected a good Christmas in their business”. With the complexities of Instagram for some business owners, Jenn decided that a Facebook group, where people could just post themselves, was the way to go. So, on Friday October 31 st 2019, after getting home from a week away, she created Buy From a Bush Business Facebook Group. Jenn laughs at how she celebrated with such gusto at 5,000 members, 10,000 members, 25,000 members – having literally no idea that it would grow to be, not only the size of a small city, but an economy all of its own. “I have no idea how much money has been traded in the past 12 months, but it must be in the 100,000’s of thousands – possibly millions”, says Jenn “Some people who posted didn’t even have a business yet, just a hobby, but soon found themselves with a community of brand new buyers, from all over the country, wanting their goods”. It was a strategic decision by Jenn, from the beginning, that it wouldn’t just be an “Australian Made” group. “As an ex-retailer, I didn’t make my goods, so I wanted to support those who were like me. Whether they made the product or not wasn’t my concern – I just wanted to help. My theory was that if we didn’t help retailers like the ones in the main streets of our rural towns, we’d have ghost towns everywhere – which would further ruin the rural economy for many years to come”, says Jenn. Little did Jenn know what was to come. Many communities who were already hurting from drought, faced the devastation of the summer bushfires, loosing homes, livelihoods and the so important, for many communities, the tourism dollar. To then, to be hit with Covid19 on top of everything else. She connected the city with the country. She created a community that, even if they couldn’t afford to spend money with businesses, they helped in other ways like sharing a post, liking a post or giving the business owner encouragement or a compliment – which is, at the heart of it, what SOCIAL MEDIA is all about. If, by chance, you aren’t one of the 285,000 odd members of Buy From a Bush Business – join the group here: facebook.com/groups/buyfromthebush Advertise in The Crossing NOW - Call 0411 896 004 THE CROSSING - Wednesday October 21, 2020 - Page 3
Page 1: GOT STUFF TO SELL? USE THE FREE CLA
Page 5 and 6: AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW
Page 7 and 8: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21 7MATE 8:00 Bar
Page 9 and 10: WESTERN DOWNS HIGH SCHOOLS COULD SE
Page 11 and 12: LETTERS, COMMENT & ANNOUNCEMENTS CA
Page 13 and 14: ADVERTISE YOUR COMMUNITY NOTICE IN
Page 15 and 16: FAMILY FUN FAIR TO PUT SMILES BACK

The Crossing October 21 2020

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