Winton’s famous Outback Festival has donated $30,000 to three key Queensland military charities that assist soldiers and their families in need of support.
Outback Festival coordinator Robyn Stephens OAM said the donations were raised at this year’s Sunset Extravaganza charity dinner held during the September festival, and was an excellent result from the Winton community, visitors and generous sponsors.
“It makes me very proud that Winton, despite being in the midst of such a prolonged drought, can help our soldiers and their families,” said Mrs Stephens.
“Winton has a very special place in our country’s military history by contributing one of the largest numbers of enlistments per head of population anywhere in Australia, with more than 500 local men leaving to join the World War One effort.”
Earlier this week, Mrs Stephens presented $10,000 cheques to the welfare sections of both 7th Brigade (Brisbane) and the Australian Special Air Service Association, Queensland Branch. She will present a $10,000 cheque to the 3rd Brigade (Townsville) next month.
All three services took part in this year’s festival in acknowledgement of the Anzac centenary.
The Outback Festival’s military advisor, Alan Bowen OAM said the donations would help soldiers in a meaningful way.
“Although the Department of Defence and Department of Veterans Affairs do a fantastic job looking after young veterans, they are often restricted by budget and entitlement constraints and are veteran-focused not family-focused,” said Mr Bowen.
