Destination Outback is a major project of Rotary Club of Dubbo South and sees participants jump in their four-wheel-drives and travel to rural locations.

The event began in 1999 and is run every two years.

In that time it has raised approximately two million dollars for a multitude of community groups and organisations.

Destination Outback’s primary recipient is the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and since the club’s conception  $1.2 million has gone to the Dubbo RFDS base alone.

The top four charities this year are the RFDS, Pink Angels, Black Dog Ride and Royal Far West.

The group of 46 cars will leave on the Friday and meet up in Collie.

They will then travel to rural areas including Cunnamulla, Yaraka, Longreach, Tambo, Tooloombilla, and Nindygully before finishing in Armatree the following week.

Rotary Australia recently joined forces with The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and Channel 9 on a national fundraising drive to support drought-affected farming families. 

A raffle will be drawn at Armatree which will then be donated to the the partnership’s 2018 Drought Relief Fund.

“We hope to have any where from $6000 to $8000 for that raffle that we’ll be bale to donate to help our farmers,” Destination Outback event director Brett (Macca) McCarthy said.

While participants do feel like they’re feeling in some way, Mr McCarthy said this time will be different. 

“We’re going out to these areas and spending a lot of money…. that’s going to help not just farmers but businesses... in these hard times…,” he said.

“It’s a good feeling when we do it, but it’s a little different because of the situation we’re in.”

To donate to the Drought Relief Fund please visit donations.rawcs.com.au

For more information on Destination Outback head to www.destinationoutback.com.au

Making sure everyone is aware of water restrictions and the like, will be paramount to this year’s trip, Mr McCarthy said.

Event organisers wished to thank their various sponsors including Cromwell Property Group Foundation, Fortnum Private Wealth and Jeff Temesvary Electrical Contractors.

Supporters included Red Rooster – Dubbo and Orange, Cattleman’s Country Motor Inn, Totally Workwear – Dubbo and Tamworth, Inland Distributors, IGA West Dubbo, Aqua West and Mansours.