Ten members of a Rotary Club on the far south coast of NSW swapped the beach for the bush last weekend when they visited Trundle as part of the Adopt-A-Town initiative. The initiative encourages members of Rotary Clubs to visit drought affected communities in NSW and provide practical and financial support.
“We selected Trundle as Pambula’s population is around the same size,” said Pambula Rotary Club Youth Director Liz Bellette-Stubbs.
“We initially reached out in September to find out how we can help.” The Pambula Rotary members helped to paint the childcare centre, assisted with the Trundle Community Christmas Pool Party, met with local school students and distributed donations. They met with the Trundle Men’s Shed and hosted a dinner at the Trundle Services and Citizens Club, where they met members of the Parkes Rotary Club and locals from across the region.
The group stayed in Trundle’s hotel and purchased supplies locally where possible to support the business community. “The schools were welcoming and encouraging of our efforts, said Liz. “The preschool was so appreciative of our paint job. We went away with ideas for future events and hope to assist them in the future. We
couldn’t have had a better beginning to the sister town relationship.”
Trundle and District Progress Association Chairman Peter Kelly said: “We appreciate the fact that they reached out to us, offering practical and financial support in this difficult time, and are keen to build a long-term relationship between our communities.”
Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton thanked the Pambula Rotary Club for their support. “The drought has a flow-on effect, not just for landholders, but the businesses and broader community, so it is important that we come together and support each other.”
“Positive initiatives, such as Adopt-A-Town, provide much-needed hands-on assistance, as well as some respite for the community.”