RELUCTANT to put local businesses under any more pressure than already caused by the drought, the organisers of a yearly charity event have cancelled it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But not holding the Nazareth House Golf Day this year means a $10,000 to $15,000 blow to the 90-bed aged care facility, they say.
Nazareth House Auxiliary president Shirley Burke said it had been a tough decision, made out of sympathy for sponsors who had been so generous in the past.
"We just felt that ... we can't go around asking people for donations when they're barely holding their heads up," Mrs Burke said.
Read also:
The drought is now officially the worst on record, but Mrs Burke said it took only a look around to see that.
"You've only got to drive around the countryside to see bare ground ... It's not getting any closer to rain."
The event has run for several years and, co-organiser Brian Thompson said, numbers had already suffered last year, with 70 golfers rather than the usual 120-odd.
"People are hurting; we all realise that businesses are hurting around town and, rather go along and them feel embarrassed - 'We can't do it this year' - we took the plunge and [called it off]."
Mrs Burke said the facility usually used the funds for big-ticket items such as new beds.
"Rarely do we buy small-priced things; they're all quite large things, things that they probably wouldn't have if they didn't have the extra avenue to ... buy them," she said.
Nazareth House's Sister Marie said the help had been "most appreciated" and backers were "in [our] prayers each day".
"The Sisters wish all our supporters every blessing and improved business and personal circumstances."
It's hoped the event will re-start next year.
The auxiliary is now looking forward to the annual fete, to be held on October 12.
"We'd like that to be a great success to try and compensate a little bit for the lack of the golf day," Mrs Burke said.