For many residents of the Southern Downs region, the last seven years of drought have been tough.

The drought has impacted every area of life, including business, farming, family and even schooling. Few areas in southern Queensland have been impacted quite as heavily as Stanthorpe which has seen one of its driest periods in living memory.

Even after recent heavy falls of rain, the Stanthorpe township has been forced to haul daily truck-loads of water from nearby dams.

This long-term water shortage has resulted in numerous issues for the local residents and surrounding farming families who continue to live with high-level water restrictions.

Over the last seven years, our team at Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd have been actively involved in supporting those impacted by drought, supplying practical assistance, food relief, counselling and other vital supports for those who need it.

For years, our long-running drought appeal has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief directly to the accounts of farmers and families in need. Recently, thanks to the support of Phil Stonestreet and Stonestreet's Travel we received a welcome helping hand.

In March this year Stonestreets Travel organised a bus tour to the annual Apple and Grape Festival on the Southern Downs and Phil and the team generously donated $1,000 from the proceeds of the tour to Lifeline Darling Downs, to further support those doing it tough.

Communities and lives are strengthened and empowered through collective and collaborative efforts. Partnerships and relationships such as these make a huge difference to those that receive support.

We’re incredibly thankful to Stonestreets Travel for their support and to all those that have supported the Lifeline Darling Downs Drought Appeal in the past. 

Regrettably, the drought isn’t over, it still continues in many parts of southern Queensland. In many of the towns and localities affected people are in more need than ever before.

Maybe it’s taking a short trip to a country town, buying local produce from the bush or staying overnight in a country hotel. Either way, if you’re able, we encourage you to consider how you can help support the locals who are still struggling to grapple with the effects of the ongoing drought.

You can also contribute to the Lifeline Darling Downs Drought Appeal and support our regular, ongoing support for country areas by donating here.

You can be sure that every dollar will help to make a difference to those that need help.