WEDDINGS and drought aren’t usually a perfect pair, but a new fundraiser is helping brides snag a bargain designer gown, all while supporting battling farmers.
Chinchilla-based charity, Drought Angels, is offering 50 donated wedding dresses at reduced prices in a bid to continue their support of hay, food and supplies for drought-stricken farmers.
The owner of a closing bridal shop in New South Wales drove the designer gowns to the charity store, wanting their business’s misfortune to help those struggling to have their dream wedding in the face of drought.
A pop-up shop was held to sell some dresses to local debutantes, but more than 40 still remain available.
Drought Angels event coordinator Carissa Liddle said the dresses ranged from size 8 to 18, with a large selection of those in size 8,10 and 12.
They start from $75, with a designer label normally worth $1670 reduced to $400.
“We are just trying to make money for farmers in need, so we’re happy to sell them at a reduced price,” Ms Liddle said.
Wanting to help spread the word, Western Downs Weddings owner Tamara White enlisted the help of a local photographer, florist, makeup artist and models to create a catalogue promoting the range and the region’s wedding vendors.
Having spent some of her childhood droving, Ms White knew all too well what it was like to be drought-stricken.
She said it was impressive for a country town to offer the range and sizes that were available through Drought Angels.
Money raised from the dresses will go directly to the support work offered to farmers by the charity.
Drought Angels co-founder Tash Johnston said 2018 was their biggest year yet, having been inundated by NSW farmers in particular.
“The whole of rural Australia is in a crisis,” she said.
“They don’t know where to go. The government is not giving them any support, it’s giving them more loans, which they can’t afford.
“We had people from South Australia contacting us for help, even people messaging reminding us about WA farmers. We would love to be able to help them all, but we are only a small charity doing the best we can.”
The Drought Angels thanked the support of Western Downs Weddings, Carla Yeo Photography, White Lotus Hair and Beauty, Chinchilla Florist and models Simonique Brits and Renee Lloyd
Wedding dress viewings are by appointment via droughtangels@gmail.com with the full catalogue available here.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
