LOCAL NEWS
B
oris Billing’s landscaping business in Goondiwindi has been a little quiet of late, with the western Queensland town firmly in the grips of one of the worst droughts in history. But the part-time musician quips that means he’s had plenty of time to organise Sounds From the Borderline, a music festival unlike anything the town has ever seen, and he’s calling for people around Australia to saddle up and head out to Goondiwindi to have a great time for a good cause. Mr Billing says the drought has penetrated every facet of life in Goondiwindi with businesses closing, farmers being forced to sell and families moving away due to lack of work. There has been no rain there for an extended period and Mr Billing says few crops have been planted and there is no feed for stock – farmers have been buying hay, cotton seed, supplements and anything they can get their hands on to keep their animals healthy. That is if they can afford it, he says. “All of this means zero income, local recession extremes, depression and worse, a completely sh*t situation. Despite all that, the town certainly has been soldiering on and it’s not all doom and gloom… we’re hanging in there. “Yes, this drought has us on our knees, but we are not asking for a handout – we are asking for a hand up.”
Drought relief for
Goondiwindi Pack your bags and head out west for an awesome weekend of music to support those doing it tough. WORDS: Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane.
Shannon Noll
KEEP YOUR LAWN
GREEN THIS SUMMER..
Before
• Attractive styles to suit any situation • Landscaping and Creative Features • Gardens, Front and Back Yards • Swimming Pool Surrounds • Residential, Commercial, Industrial Applications
After
19 Daniel St, Caloundra P: 5438 9338 or Mike 0487 999 902
www.customflek.com.au 18 My Weekly Preview | October 11, 2019
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