A “virtual prayer” event for rain across outback Queensland is being organised for this Easter weekend.
Brisbane woman Wendy Parker is a former Longreach resident and said she decided to hold the event partly to raise awareness of the devastating drought in the state’s west.
Ten council areas across western Queensland marked two years under drought declarations earlier this week, including Cloncurry, Paroo and Diamantina.
There are currently more than 40 shires drought-declared, including the Longreach, Barcaldine, Murweh, Winton and Barcoo shires.
Ms Parker said people were being asked to share a photo on a social media site of a setting sun on Saturday afternoon and send a virtual prayer for rain.
She said she chose the setting sun theme because there was still beauty in the landscape despite the dry times.
“In times past, we used to be able to congregate for a prayer ceremony in Edkins Park [Longreach],” she said.
“This is a virtual Edkins Park event.
Council areas across western Queensland marked two years under drought declarations earlier this week.
(ABC News: Chrissy Arthur)
“No matter where you are in the world, no matter what your denomination is, all we want is for you to send up a prayer to please help these people, help this land.”
Ms Parker said she was hoping to get hundreds of people online to share their photos and their thoughts for western Queenslanders.
“Wherever you are, on Saturday afternoon at 5:00pm, if you could sit down and take five minutes out, and take a photo of the sunset and post it on the social media space.
“Then let’s all come together and send out [a prayer] and let’s see that rain falling out there, let’s see that beautiful country back to what it used to be. Miracles do happen.”
Ms Parker is inviting people to participate via her Facebook page.
Wendy Parks wants people to participate in a “virtual prayer” and post a picture of a setting sun on social media this Easter weekend. (ABC News: Chrissy Arthur)
