Rotary Partnership for Farming Families

The Rotary Club of Orange North have partnered with the Rotary Club of Castle Hill to assist businesses in the Cumnock-Yeoval district.  Their main objectives were to provide financial support for families suffering through the drought and lending assistance to keep local businesses viable.

The Rotary Club of Castle Hill contacted former member Peter Gilbank and asked him to formulate a project for their $5,000 donation. Peter was aware of special grants provided through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and lodged an application which resulted in RAWCS granting an additional $5,000 to the project – a total of $10,000 in all.

These funds were then converted to drought relief debit cards each with a value of $100. Members of Castle Hill and Orange North Rotary Clubs visited Cumnock recently for the presentation of these cards by Past District Governor Bruce Allen.

Rhonda Watt, from the Cumnock Progress Association, accepted the cards on behalf of her community and spoke of her gratitude and appreciation for the generous support from both Rotary clubs.

Lunch was served in the Cumnock General Store where members from both clubs as well as representatives from the local district enjoyed a time of catching up and fellowship. All relief debit cards have now been distributed to farming families across both communities.