INSPIRED by his time living in Scone working as a teacher at Scone High School, Bob Wells, who is now the vice chairman of the Wyong Rugby League Club Group, decided it was time to give back to the community he still has a strong connection with.
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In an amazing gesture, Mr Wells, along with representatives of the Leagues club handed over two $20,000 cheques on Wednesday – $40,000 in total – to the Scone Lions Club and Scone and District Country Women’s Association (CWA) to go towards local drought relief.
The contributions will make an incredible difference, and are the largest sum the groups have received to go towards drought aid.
“I came to Scone as a 19-year-old back in 1962 to teach,” Mr Wells said.
“I was here for ten years, I was married while I was here, my kids were born in hospital here and so I had a soft spot for this area.
“I was here for the drought in 1965 and saw how bad it was.
“Because of the drought, our staff, of which there are over 300, decided that they would like to help the farmers.
“We had one day where all of our staff across our eight venues donated into the fund for our farmers.
“And they raised nearly $20,000 so the board decided that we’d match that and put it somewhere we could help the farmers.”
Mr Wells said the board looked into a few areas and different organisations but agreed that going through local charities such as Lions and CWA was the best option.
“We were looking for an outlet where all of our money was going to go to the farmer and not to administration,” he said.
“The CWA and Lions go through the rural financial coordinators to make sure every cent is going to a farmer in need.”
The Wyong Rugby League Club Group are no stranger to supporting communities and groups, having already given over $70,000 to Central Coast Kids In Need in the last twelve months.
“We were very happy to do it,” Mr Wells said.
“To us it’s a way of helping the community and that’s what we’re about – our foundation slogan is Caring for the Community.
Scone & District CWA and Lions representatives extended their heartfelt thanks to the Wyong Rugby League Club Group who had travelled up for the day to present the cheques and enjoy lunch with members.