Rural Aid gives Alpha above par transformation
| Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has finished up a week of works in Alpha as a continuation of the award-winning “Our Towns” program. Sixteen Rural Aid volunteers braved the heat to lend a hand with projects at Settlers Park, the Golf Club, Cemetery and Hospital. This time last year, Rural Aid staff and volunteers were in Alpha to kick start the 2020 Our Towns event. Alpha was one of 10 towns across Australia chosen for Rural Aid’s Our Towns program. Alpha’s local leaders and Rural Aid’s small-town experts created the Community Development Plan, to help bring the town’s assets to life. Alpha was also awarded $100,000 to help the projects come to fruition. Last week, the dedicated Rural Aid volunteers rolled back into town for another round of community building works. Officer in Charge of the Alpha Police Station, Sergeant Brian Smith, said the town welcomed back the Rural Aid crew with open arms. “It was an absolutely fantastic week. They’re great people, great volunteers,” Sgt Smith said. Sgt Smith said the new frisbee golf course at Settlers Park, installed by the Rural Aid volunteers, is already proving to be a hit. “The school is actually looking at implementing the course as part of the PE program next year,” Sgt Smith said. There is also talk of a community competition starting up. “Just to encourage the community to get together and get active,” Sgt Smith said. “I’d just like to thank the efforts of the Rural Aid people who turned up. Especially the volunteers!” Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was great to have such an amazing team of volunteers travel thousands of kilometres to spend a week in a small country town. “These volunteers have gone out of their way to give back, and we’re honoured to have them as part of the Rural Aid team” Mr Warlters said. “Alpha is a strong and determined community that holds a special place in Rural Aid’s heart. It’s great to revisit Alpha and to see how they’ve progressed the Community Development Plan. We hope the upgraded and new facilities can bring some extra joy and economic benefits to the region,” Mr Warlters said. The Rural Aid volunteers were in Alpha from the 24th of October through to the 30th. They stayed at the showgrounds. Please visit this dropbox link for photos from Alpha: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v4if5zhmy57izd4/AABzMaoO5Yo0dgINrPcbiINRa?dl=0 For more information, or for interviews, contact Ash Whittaker from Rural Aid media at 0447 116 757 or at media@ruralaid.org.au |