DROUGHT-STRICKEN graziers, shop and small business owners will have a ready source of information on help available, with the delivery of a magnetized, crisis-contact postcard this month.
The North West Drought Recovery Collaborative has 1000 fridge magnet postcards to be delivered to drought affected areas of the North West, according to North West Hospital and Health Board Chair, Paul Woodhouse.
“Many organisations have been working together to help drought affected graziers, business owners and individuals, but we still felt there was a bit of a gap – that the people who might need help, don’t have all the information they need in a nutshell,” Mr Woodhouse said.
“Well, this postcard is the nutshell,” he said.
Centacare’s Dryline number is prominent as are other health services such as Mental Health Services, Medicare Local, Anglicare, GP services and other local health clinics.
“This is a huge drought that has affected not only graziers and their families, but small businesses, councils, schools and those working in support capacities.
“There wouldn’t be a family in the North West who hasn’t been touched in some way.
“We want to get the message across that there is support available and people don’t have to feel that they’re struggling on their own.
“Help is literally a phone call away – and the phone numbers are right here on this postcard.”
The postcards will be distributed by any means the committee can enlist, Mr Woodhouse said, including West Wing’s mail runs out to the North and West this week.
The postcards are the latest initiative from the North West Drought Recovery Collaborative.
Local services first met in May, 2014 specifically to focus their combined resources to inform and support the North West towards drought recovery.
The Collaborative includes representatives from Agforce, Anglicare, Centacare, Central and North West Queensland Medicare Local, Child Safety and Disability Services, Department of Communities, Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter MP, North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services, North West Hospital and Health Service, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Uniting Care Community.
