Gerringong opens heart to Forbes

THE Gerringong and Kiama communities have opened their hearts, and wallets, to support 12 families from Forbes who visited the area for some relief from the problems and worries caused by drought.

The holiday for the farming families was organised jointly by the Gerringong Sunrise and Forbes Rotary clubs and the Uniting Church, through Chittick Lodge, in Forbes.

Kevin O"Sullivan, of Gerringong Sunrise Rotary, said the club was initially approached by Chittick Lodge, which had decided to offer free accommodation to people from a drought-affected area.

Mr O"Sullivan, who used to own a farm in western NSW, said he understood the plight of those who had been hit hardest by the drought.

"It might rain, but they"ve still got no money. It"s a very long, hard slog for a farmer out west to come back after being so low," Mr O"Sullivan said.

The leaders of the Forbes group, dairy farmers Robyn and Peter Downie, said the holiday had been beneficial in many ways.

"The children have just had a wonderful, wonderful time," Mrs Downie said.

"Some of them have not had holidays in a number of years. And the things we"ve done , for instance (on Friday) we"re going to the bowling alley. Lots of these kids have never been to a bowling alley."

Other activities the group took part in included going to Jamberoo Recreation Park and the Minnamurra rainforest, a rock platform ramble, a bush dance with Rotary and Uniting Church members and just plain relaxing on the beach.

Mr Downie said the break had helped the adults to establish a sense of community.

"Some of the blokes are starting to talk," he said, adding this was often something difficult for men.

"It starts to bring them back up again, finding out there"s other people in the same situation."

Mr O"Sullivan said people had been very generous in supporting the venture.

Gerringong Sunrise Rotary paid all the costs of the five-day visit by the 55 people, including a bus from Parkes, food and entry to the various activities.