Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker has welcomed funding of $84,000 from the Queensland Government's Community Drought Support Package.
"This funding will do so much good in our Isaac community, lifting spirits and providing practical support for community events," Mayor Baker said. "We have named the overall project 'Dry Lands to High Hopes'.
"Council will provide support for community-led events and activities via a grants program and also will run a series of Council-led outreach "Check In and Check Up" events in drought-affected communities across the region.
"Council will support our existing and emerging community groups to deliver events and activities that could include rodeos, campdrafts, cutting events, rural recharge days, Christmas fairs, family fun days, horse sport events, community expos, and ladies' and men's days.
"Council will also encourage community groups in drought-affected areas to be innovative, developing new events and activities to benefit the community."
Mayor Baker said the 'Check In and Check Up' events would be rolled-out across the drought-affected communities, including isolated agricultural communities such as Clarke Creek, Twin Hills and Mackenzie River.
"These events will include screening of a family outdoor movie, a community barbecue, and sporting or group activities such as cricket, softball, footy or craft, as well as attendance of a medical professional to provide simple in-the-field health checks; for example, blood pressure checks, skin checks and mental health questionnaires.
"The 'Check In' aspect includes social and mental wellbeing and checking in with your mates. The 'Check Up' aspect includes basic physical health checks.
"There would be the opportunity for other welfare service providers and other local community groups to also attend.
"Council will work together with communities to identify the most suitable locations, choice of activity and timing of the events to maximise participation."
Mayor Baker added the grant application had been made before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and all events would take into account appropriate social-distancing and other protocols.
"COVID-19 has given us a new range of issues to deal with in organising events but at the same time has made community support events and activities even more important."
Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke announced earlier this week that 59 organisations in drought-affected parts of the State would share almost $5 million in grants as part of the Queensland Government's Community Drought Support Package.
