Cobar Mayor Lilliane Brady OAM, is looking forward to her first trip to the Eurobodalla. Photographed here at the Running On Empty Festival and the Festival Of The Miners Ghost in October. Photo: Cobar Shire Council Facebook.
The long-serving Mayor of Cobar in ‘way out central west’ New South Wales says her community is grateful for the thoughts and efforts of the Eurobodalla in these dry, distressing times.
Lilliane Brady OAM is the longest-serving female mayor in NSW. She has just been elected as Mayor for her nineteenth year, having served as a councillor for 35 years.
“If my husband was still alive he’d say I was the last of the slow learners,” laughs Cr Brady.
Speaking to Region Media, Cr Brady says she is looking forward to making her first trip to the Eurobodalla for this Friday’s Raindance Eurobodalla fundraiser concerts.
“At 87 I am much too old for dancing and I’ve got bad asthma, but I am really looking forward to being there.”
Having just hopped off the phone to Cr Brady, I think she might end up stealing the show from Aussie legends like Wilbur Wilde, Josh Cunningham of The Waifs, and Frankie J Holden.
Three big events will be held simultaneously at golf clubs in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, with 100 per cent of proceeds, including all ticket sales going to farmers battling the drought.
Image: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes says the scene is set for a fantastic night.
“We have seen an absolutely incredible amount of generosity from our local businesses, who have donated an astonishing $38,000 worth of items to be auctioned or raffled on the night,” she says.
“Now all we need is for people to buy tickets and come along and bid on the night to help farmers in need.”
Cr Brady says Cobar is one of the hardest hit by the drought.
“It affects everyone, it is very sad, but the response of communities like the Eurobodalla really makes a difference.
“My community is just delighted that people have put themselves out like this, it brings us all together.”
Cr Innes says despite the recent rain the Eurobodalla has received, 98 per cent of NSW remains in drought or is drought affected, “and with a dry, hot summer forecast, things could turn nasty very quickly,” she says.
“The grass may be green after the small amount of rain we’ve had, but our farmers are finding it tough and will continue to find it tough for some time even after the drought has broken,” she says.
“Locally, the price of feed for stock is sky-high, water stores are low or non-existent, and many farmers have been forced to destock their land in low market conditions, having a huge impact on farm income.
“Our sister shire, Cobar, is within the 14.2 per cent of the state declared in ‘intense drought’ and it’s immensely impacting the whole community, which has a long history of crippling droughts.
“The Eurobodalla Raindance is about showing our support and doing everything we can to help our brothers and sisters in need,” Cr Innes says.
Cobar’s economy is based around mining and pastoral industries. It sits 776 km west of Batemans Bay. Photo: Cobar Shire Council Facebook.
Tickets to Eurobodalla Raindance events are now $25 and include food grazing platters and entertainment.
The events will be held this Friday (November 23) from 6:30 pm at Catalina Country Club, Moruya Golf Club, and Narooma Golf Club. Tickets are available at the clubs or online at www.trybooking.com
“I just want to thank everybody for the bottom of my heart, Cobar really appreciates it,” Cr Brady says.
Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.
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