Calls from desperate farmers may be slowing down, but local services are still hard at work finding ways to battle the drought.

Drought recovery was on the agenda as Inverell Shire councillors Anthony Michael and Di Baker met with representatives from Landcare, Healthwise, the Salvation Army, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Anglicare, Gwydir Shire Council, STA FM and the Rural Financial Counselling Service on Tuesday morning.

The Rural Service Support Network (RSSN) meeting, held in Senator John Williams’ office, focused on practical ways the various groups could work together to support the farming community.

Following news from DPI that the Inverell township has moved into the category of weakening drought-affected conditions, attendees agreed that although they were receiving less immediate inquiries, their work was not done. They discussed the fact that drought recovery could take 12-18 months, and the necessity for forward planning for support systems.

Healthwise nurses Letitia Carrey and Chris Connor invited the services to take part in their upcoming entertainment events, designed to give farmers a break. The service is hosting a Blokes Night Out on Friday, November 2 at the Delungra Bowling Club with rugby league star Tommy Raudonikis and two Women Like Us comedy shows from Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs at the Guyra Community Hall and Warialda Town Hall on November 23 and 24 respectively.

STA FM program director Peter Jarrett praised a recent Myall Creek meeting and an August Navigating the Drought Forum for attracting engagement from the farming community, and talked about his hope for more small, community-led events.

Landcare’s Anya Salmon and Lee Thompson were similarly pleased with the outcome of a Danthonia restorative farming day last month.

The group discussed the extra $1 million in drought funding allocated to the Inverell Shire Council by the federal government, although Crs Michael and Baker warned that the submission deadline was looming fast.

Cr Michael said the council would like to focus much of the funding on bolstering local businesses affected by the decrease in retail spending caused by the drought. He said they were also putting together a one-off newsletter to inform every Inverell ratepayer of the various services available to them, and where they can get help.

STA FM program director Peter Jarrett encouraged the council to “think big” with the funding, and suggested an in depth cultural impact analysis.

Prompted by Anne Coote, who was employed by the Gwydir Council to assist 15 New England councils adjust to new biodiversity reforms; the RSSN decided to work on producing a drought recovery roadshow to reach the shire’s small communities. They will apply to the Inverell Shire Council in the hope of receiving a portion of the drought relief funding to help run the event.