Latest News

Dairy Farmers and Coles Help Innisfail Turn Back Time

09.08.2006

Dairy Farmers group, in collaboration with Coles Supermarkets has today announced a donation of $11,000 to the Johnstone Shire Council to rebuild a monument surrounding a time capsule that was destroyed be Cyclone Larry.

The donation is being made through the Dairy Farmers Creating Greener Pastures program.

Earlier this year, Dairy Farmers and its retail partner Coles, presented a John Farnham concert to raise funds for the North Queensland community affected by Cyclone Larry.

Dairy Farmers in collaboration with Coles has already committed $60,000 through the Dairy Farmers Creating Greener Pastures program to a waterways revegetation project.

“Both the waterways revegetation project and the time capsule restoration project are in keeping with the philosophy of Creating Greener Pastures – that is, to help Dairy Farmers make a contribution back to the communities in which it operates,” said Ian Langdon, Dairy Farmers Chairman.

“Dairy Farmers and Coles are proud to give back to the Johnstone Shire Council a tangible reminder and symbol of the community’s resilience.”

Coles Myer Supermarkets spokesperson Tony Hillman, State Manager (QLD) said Coles had decided to support the project because of its symbolic value.

“The rebuilding of the time capsule monument is significant in that it symbolises the return to a normal life for a community badly shaken by its experience during the Cyclone,” Mr Hillman said.

“We hope it provides a morale boost for those members of the community who are still trying to get their lives back on track.”

Johnstone Shire Council Mayor Neil Clarke said he was impressed that Dairy Farmers and Coles had stood by both farmers and the broader community after Cyclone Larry hit.

“Dairy Farmers was there immediately after the cyclone struck helping to restore essentials,” Mr Clarke said.

“Dairy Farmers local franchise owners worked tirelessly to deliver milk to the region despite challenging conditions.

“But best of all, Dairy Farmers is still here, several months after the event providing support in collaboration with Coles Supermarkets, because support is still needed.”

Dairy Farmers, which has approximately 100 farmers in the North Queensland region, will deliver the grants through its partner, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

The time capsule was buried in Jack Fossey Park 25 years ago, to be reclaimed in 100 years.  

The structure housing the time capsule was badly damaged during the cyclone and the Council was forced to remove it from its resting place.