Travelling thousands of kilometres delivering hay to drought stricken farmers in western NSW is a big task.
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But it’s all in a days work for truck drivers.
They travel for many hours and often stop in rural towns for a meal and a shower.
To save a few dollars, many truckies sleep in the cab of their truck.
But a pub in the small country town of Coonamble wants to help lighten the load, by offering free accommodation and even a beer for those truck drivers helping out with the drought.
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The Bucking Bull Hotel owner Scott Richardson said providing truck drivers on charitable hay runs through the central west was the least he could do.
“Everyone’s affected by the drought, not just farmers but businesses as well,” he said. “It has a ripple affect.”
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While he admits the accommodation is nothing five star, Mr Richardson said it’s better for truck drivers to have a proper, warm bed to sleep in, rather than the cab of their truck.
“We’re just helping where we can,” he said.
Mr Richardson said it has been nice to see that everyone is now becoming aware of just how dry it is, especially people in the city.
“It’s about time everyone realised there is a drought,” he said.
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Mr Richardson has had the pub for just over two weeks.
Originally from the Blue Mountains, Mr Richardson said Coonamble is a really nice town and that everyone has been supportive.
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To help give back to the farmers and wider community, Mr Richardson, together with a group of locals have banded together to create the a Rain Dance Ball, to help raise the spirits of their drought stricken community.
The ball will be a chance to forget about the drought for a night, catch up with friends and neighbours and wash the dust from our throats.
The Coonamble Raindance Ball will be held on Saturday, October 6.
The committee is seeking sponsorship from corporates, government and any individual who wants to help make this event a reality
For more details contact coonambleraindance@mail.com.
Tickets will be on sale soon at www.trybooking.com.
Donations are being accepted at www.mycause.com.au