Stores across the vast and dry Orana region are experiencing an upsurge in trade and interest as a result of a social media campaign targeting metro consumers.
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Buy from the Bush connected a businessman and a Trangie store, resulting in him buying furniture for his Brisbane home.
The purchase is an example of the valuable trade the social media campaign is injecting into economies of drought-affected towns.
Buy from the Bush was started with a social media post by Warren district woman Grace Brennan on October 16.
Described by her as a "hopeful movement", in less than two weeks it has attracted 50,000 followers on Instagram and more than 55,000 likes on Facebook.
Trangie's Ewe Two on Dandaloo has gained sales and social media followers after its overnight and toiletries bags featured in a post on the Buy from the Bush social media pages.
Owner Trish Phillips said there had definitely been more orders taken from places far afield, with parcels going to Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria.
"I had this most gorgeous man, whose business is in Macquarie Street in Sydney, but he lives in Brisbane, and he said he wanted a cow hide stool or two" she said.
"I was just blown away, he just said 'I saw the [Buy from the Bush] campaign happening and I just really want to help you guys out'...
I was just blown away, he just said 'I saw the [Buy from the Bush] campaign happening and I just really want to help you guys out'...
- Ewe Two on Dandaloo owner Trish Phillips
"He was just amazed at what was out in the country."
The clothing, gifts and homewares store has also had a couple of groups of 10 or 15 women on road trips call in, and they had "virtually shopped until they dropped".
"They did Narromine, and over to Warren, they've given everyone a bit of their love, rather than my shop in particular," Mrs Phillips said.
Walgett's Stone's Throw cafe and gift store, which opened in 2014, has experienced a massive boost in its social media following on the back of Buy from the Bush.
"I've been inundated with messages and likes and people wanting to get behind the scheme and order from Buy from the Bush and everyone is so lovely," owner Katie Murray said.
I even had a lady who bought something but then also donated $40 worth of free coffees to local farmers, which was so heartwarming.
- Stone's Throw owner Katie Murray
"I even had a lady who bought something but then also donated $40 worth of free coffees to local farmers, which was so heartwarming."
She's been buoyed by the support flowing from both metro areas and other country towns for Buy from the Bush.
"A massive thank you and a big hug to those girls who started it, they're doing a great job and it's making a difference to so many local businesses in these drought-affected areas," Ms Murray said.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
