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What did it take to bring “Macca” to the Ridge? A bush lad himself, the radio celebrity answered the call of persistent drought-stricken farmer, Robert Turnbull to come take a look.
And, of course, Robert’s innovative idea to raise vital funds for the bush, a rain gauge which had no further use, was the catalyst.
Sympathetic to the plight of property owners in drought ravaged Australia, Sydney businessman, Peter Joseph became the proud recipient of the rain gauge after his generous $3000 bid for the dust-filled gauge, to “Macca All Over”.
It was from the remote Challenge Gold Mine, 200km northwest of Woomera that Peter first heard of the rain gauge auction initiated by Robert Turnbull.
Peter accompanied by 1960 1500m gold medallist Jon Konrads, saw first-hand the crippling effect of drought in the area, and the magnificent work of the Bush Church Aid Society of Australia, distributing fodder to appreciative families.
How long this morale-lifting effort can continue is not known.
“We have already received 500t of oats, 250t cotton seed and been handfeeding our stock for 12 months,” said “Bando” farmer, Robert Turnbull.
In a brief hand-over ceremony of the rain gauge at Lightning Ridge District Bowling Club on Tuesday, Peter Joseph spoke of the real value behind the rain gauge.
“It makes your heart break when you see what’s going on,” he said.
“Macca” pondered on a fund-raising effort he may pursue and was looking towards a live broadcast at the Ridge before Christmas.
Included in the effort will be the Kelly Gang’s Ridge Concert, Big Drought Night Out on November 30.
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