Jamestown Apex Club uniting a region hard-hit by drought
Country people are a resilient bunch, and the Mid North farming community of Jamestown is testament to that. Faced with the driest season in the region’s history, locals are doing what they do best – they’re gathering the neighbours, kids and all, and banding together in a show of support.
With drought having a profound impact on communities right across South Australia, the Jamestown Apex Club, with a strong contingent of local farmers as members, is hosting ’24 Drought – Resilience At Its Best – a community event aimed at supporting those affected by the disastrously dry farming season.
Apex Club President and farmer, Mark Blake, said Jamestown locals had long been a very “go ahead” and “active” bunch of people, especially when it came to volunteering and ensuring their little Mid North town remains a great place to be.
“A generous local handed me $1000 cash and said do what you need to with this in the Apex space,” he said.
“After holding a meeting and chatting with local Agronomists who are the ones out there going from farm to farm seeing and hearing first-hand how the season is affecting people, we soon confirmed that there are plenty of people struggling. Apex voted to chip in $10,000 (raised through selling firewood, lucerne hay and calendars) and put on an event to help boost spirits leading up to the holiday season, but also to share the burden of drought and come together to find out about accessing vital services.”
Initially the club was looking to host the event for those directly impacted by the drought, but upon further review, realised that whole communities are impacted and suffering, so have opened the event up to everyone in the region, with overwhelming support from Northern Areas Council and various Ag services in the region.
Interactive sessions for the whole family followed by a night of food and entertainment
The event will include a series of diverse interactive sessions, from B&B (beer and bullshit) in the shearing shed at Jamestown Showgrounds, to Cheese and Champers in the footy clubrooms and fun and games for the kids.
“There’ll be advisors there from Rural Aid, Pinion Advisory and Landscape SA talking about upcoming grants for farmers. It’ll be the first day of school holidays, so we also really want to make it as much about the kids as anything – there’ll be a roving magician, activities and games for the kids, jumping castles and a movie cinema in the evening, set up in the footy clubrooms ,” Mark said.
Another active community organisation, the Lions Club, will be serving up their signature cinnamon donuts and handing out free ice-creams, and at the end of the afternoon spent chewing the fat, comparing lousy harvests and looking to do it all again next year, everyone will come together to share a meal and chill out with a night of free live music by Mid North performers, Tiff Reynolds and Andrew Lange – perfect food for the soul.
“A year like this affects more than just the farmers, it’s felt across the whole community,” Mark said. “This event provides a space for people to come together, access vital services, and share in food, fellowship and solidarity during challenging times.”
To secure a ticket to the free event click here.
