A leader in a Sydney real estate firm that's organised a drought drive through the Orana region has challenged the corporate sector to follow suit.
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DiJONES general manager Kylie Walsh said instead of Christmas parties or gifts for staff members, metropolitan businesses could support regional areas through the tough time.
Ms Walsh said the DiJONES Drought Drive, which involved more than 100 people crossing the Blue Mountains for a three-day trip to 14 communities, had been organised to share support across different sectors.
The convoy arrived in Dubbo on Sunday, dining out and staying the night before one group went to Nyngan and the other to Walgett.
"It was all about refuelling, staying, eating - shopping was a part of it as well, but we wanted to be able to touch those businesses also," Ms Walsh said.
The general manager, who grew up on a property near Boggabri, said the drought drive was proving to be an eye-opener for some team members and their children who had never ventured far from the city.
On Monday the group visited the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets, where the annual pink lamb auction for the McGrath Foundation took place.
"I think the highlight for us has been the welcoming of the businesses - we've had people baking biscuits and children coming up and tapping on our window... saying thank you so much for helping mum and dad," Ms Walsh said.
"That's been amazing, and then I think the saleyards this morning at Dubbo was just awesome. A lot of the team had never been to a saleyards or exposed to that sort of thing, so that was great."
Tenelle Bond, owner of the Establishment Bar Dubbo, praised the firm's initiative.
"It was great to see so many of the DiJONES crew stop by our bar last night before dinner to grab a drink," she said.
The bar filled up fast, with the visitors enjoying the live music, chatting to locals, and supporting the bar's drought relief charity, Mrs Bond said.
"They were really trying to spread themselves around our city and I even heard they were splitting up to visit as many places in our region which was lovely to see," she said.
"Especially as a new small business owner coming from a farming family, the thought and dedication they put into this trip didn't go unnoticed by us and was really appreciated."