Club members Garry, Jeanette, Phil and Sandy traveled to Balaclava to assist in the RAWCS Drought Relief Program organised by Rotary District 9510. Facebook RAWCS - Rotary Australia World Community Service - DROUGHT COMMUNITIES OUTREACH PROGRAM RAWCS signed a partnership agreement with the Commonwealth Government on 12 June 2020 to assist in delivery of the Drought Communities Outreach Program [DCOP], an initiative of National Drought and Northern Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency. DCOP will be holding 70+ information events in selected towns throughout the drought declared areas for farming families directly impacted by the drought. The aim is to increase coordination of drought support and enhance community awareness of the Australian Government’s drought assistance measures. Rotary’s role is to *Assist with community outreach delivery of these information events through wellbeing activities and BBQ catering. *Distribute $500 debit cards at these events as direct support to eligible farming households that are experiencing financial hardship due to drought, and improve levels of economic activity in regions by eligible recipients spending these cards in local communities and businesses. RAWCS has received a grant of $5 million to fund its role. DCOP events will run from late July 2020 through to December 2020 [extended due to COVID] and be held in all mainland states. The DCOP is currently finalising the list of towns where events will be held. Once received, RAWCS will complete the significant logistics required for our successful involvement. RAWCS DCOP project manager is RAWCS National Treasurer, Mike Whitehouse, and deputy project manager is RAWCS Deputy Chair, Dave Pearson. The DCOP have appointed four Department Prime Minister & Cabinet staff members with whom we will work closely to conduct the program. RAWCS is currently assessing drought impacted areas that will not have information events, with a view to distributing debit cards direct to eligible farming households within these areas during the program. The rollout of the DCOP program will be staged, with each stage being agreed between the partners. RAWCS will be communicating well in advance with District Governors regarding DCOP events that will be occurring in their Districts. This will include dates and locations of events and District Rotary Clubs which could be involved in the provision of BBQ’s and wellbeing activities. If Clubs choose to participate, they will be thoroughly briefed on their role at these information events. DCOP will fund a BBQ’s costs and provide a financial incentive to a club for participation.
