Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), today announced that it has budgeted $500,000 for drought relief assistance in the new financial year. This will be in the form of a fund of air tickets which relief agencies and community organisations can tap into.
Making the announcement, Rex Managing Director Geoff Breust said that the Board and management felt compelled to dig deep into its reserves to help seeing that a very large number of regional communities served by the airline were dramatically affected by one of the longest droughts in Australia’s history.
“The bush has given Rex its unwavering support in the last 3 years which has brought us to where we are today. It is only right that we give back to the community in these times of dire need.”
“Our offer is designed to enable community and charitable organisations to apply for travel where it will enable them to provide more services and assistance to those directly affected. This is not restricted to farmers as small business and other community organisations are also suffering during this difficult time.
“Services could include stress counselling, financial management advice and family assistance services. It could also include travel to bring experts to regional communities to conduct workshops on relevant issues or simply enable farm sitters or other helpers to travel to country areas to assist those in need.
“To access the pool of tickets, community and charitable organisations are requested to access and down load a special application form on the Rex website and fax it to our office for assessment. Rex’s web site is www.rex.com.au.
“We are liaising with the NSW Farmers Association and other community bodies to direct the assistance in a co-ordinated manner. The Association has convened a special meeting of community assistance organisations in New South Wales in Sydney on Monday 6 June to co-ordinate the many great relief activities being developed. Rex hopes our assistance will add to the work already planned’, Mr Breust said.
Mr Mal Peters, President of NSW Farmers Association said “This is a great initiative and will greatly benefit rural NSW. We applaud Rex for its selfless act.”
Mr Breust said that while the vast majority of western NSW was severely affected by the drought there were many communities in Victoria and South Australia on the Rex network also deserving of Rex’s help.
“We encourage organisations right around our network to contact us with their needs,” Mr Breust said.
Rex currently operates air services to 28 regional destinations from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
“Rex is a regional airline with a proud regional Australia heritage. The management and staff are fully committed to the regional communities we serve and this is one way we are able to help our colleagues in need.,” Mr Breust said.
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