After many months of heightened media coverage over summer, the plight of residents in drought affected areas has become lost in the Covid-19 results and restrictions as well as local and world political events.
West of Brisbane there are many families involved in farming, tourism and local busines doing it tough as drought, once again, makes life difficult and even more challenging. Wildlife carers are amongst those meeting those challenges, albeit with no assistance from any government program or council relief package.
Sal Angel from the Beachmere Wildlife OP Shop continues to send donations to carers around Australia including western Queensland which, after a little rain in March, has moved back to serious drought conditions.
With approval to travel, Sal recently headed west to Wandoan with supplies for carers in that region.
Closer to home, this local gem of a shop supported the demand for help at the Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo with medications, gloves and, even, theatre gowns. With the Zoo closed, and hundreds of animals to feed, funding for essential wildlife care at the Hospital was reduced and they called out for extra help.
The Op Shop has a wonderful range of winter clothes, shoes and bric a brak, books and furniture. As well as providing ongoing support and supplies for carers and wildlife, recycling new and pre-loved items helps reduce waste and provide essential items to those thrifty shoppers.
The Op Shop recently moved from Shop 1 to Shop 9 at the rear of the Beachmere Central shopping centre and is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 3pm with limited receiving times currently (9am till noon) for donations.