With a 50% chance of rainfall around the border today – Wednesday 31 July – Tenterfield Mayor Peter Petty, ably aided by Deputy Mayor Greg Sauer and Councillors Tom Peters and Gary Verri, participated in a potentially rain-bringing, drought-breaking ‘Chicken Dance’ in Bruxner Park this morning, joined by littlies from the Tenterfield Childcare Centre and several other enthusiastic participants.
The idea of Matt Richardson from Tenterfield’s “Potting Shed”, this light-hearted community event took off through Facebook following Matt’s own “rain dance” which went viral through social media.
“With the assistance of Rotary Club volunteers, Matt and his team provided a free BBQ breakfast which went down a treat with the locals following the energetic moves which hopefully will bring a good downfall in the next couple of days,” Cr Petty said.
“I don’t do Facebook but Matt’s idea just took off and I’m up to do anything to make it rain at the moment,” he said.
“It was great to see the number of people who turned up to support Matt’s initiative and on behalf of Council, I wish to thank Matt and his team.
“Our community spirit and resilience continues to blow me away.”
The event piggybacked with the arrival yesterday of a desalination unit provided free of charge to Tenterfield Shire Council by Rural Aid Australia.
The unit will connect directly to the Shirley Park bore outlet, with the treated water then flowing straight into the water filtration system without loss from evaporation and delivering an additional 70,000 litres of potable water each day to Tenterfield town.
