SUNRAYSIA residents are being urged to help out their neighbouring communities by making a weekend getaway to towns like Pooncarie and Menindee.
Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb said a visit to the region could have a dual purpose in helping small businesses in the towns as well as getting better educated about the Darling River’s dire situation.
“The comment I get from everyone who comes here is they can’t believe their eyes when they see the river,” Mr McCrabb said.
“Getting to understand the river situation – I think people have to see it with their own eyes to get an understanding of that.
“Seeing is believing.
“There’s a certain beauty of the outback when it’s dry. As much as it’s got its repercussions to people and the region as a whole, there’s still a certain beauty there.”
Menindee will feature on Monday’s ABC Back Roads program, which will shine the light to the wider Australian community on the small town’s struggles.
Mr McCrabb said it was hoped the national exposure would help boost tourist numbers to the town, but he said Sunraysia residents visiting the small communities was a huge boost.
“We’re not that far away (from Mildura),” he said.
“I know the road conditions to Menindee from Mildura are a bit rough, but it’s a nice weekend drive up.
“You could head off on a Friday night and camp at Pooncarie and spend a Saturday floating around Menindee and stay for the night and work your way home on Sunday.
“You don’t have to spend your whole life here but it is a great weekend away.”
