Residents at RetireAustralia’s Tarragal Glen and Carlyle Gardens Retirement villages are working hard to support drought-stricken farming communities.

With all New South Wales and over half of Queensland now drought-affected and with no clear end in sight, many rural communities are doing it tougher than ever.

The Tarragal Glen community at Erina on NSW Central Coast has spent two weeks gathering goods to donate, with over 40 boxes and 50 shopping bags of goods to be delivered to rural communities throughout the state this weekend.

Items including canned food, soup, biscuits, chocolate, cereal, sauces, pasta, rice, toiletries, pet food and children’s toys were delivered to Ray White Point Clare for distribution to rural areas.

Residents and staff also made cash donations to the appeal at the village’s recent Lifestyle & Care Connection Expo.

Meanwhile at Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village in Bargara residents are holding a garage sale and open day on Saturday 8th September, with all proceeds going to Buy a Bale, the  rural fundraising campaign supporting Queensland’s farmers by supplying fodder and other essential items to severe drought affected areas.

Village Manager Michael Owens said many of the village residents come from rural areas and so this event means a lot to them.

Running from 10am to 2pm in the village community centre at 3 Carlyle Court Bargara, the community event will include a range of stalls and a sausage sizzle and everyone is welcome to attend.