THE CARTER family didn’t expect to be treated like celebrities when they visited Evans Head last week.
The Coonamble family won a holiday organised by the Evans Head Chamber of Commerce at the Rotary Family Fun Day in November 2018.
The Carters run a plumbing business at Coonamble and Mrs Carter is also Canteen Co-ordinator at Coonamble High School.
As well as a week’s accommodation at the Sail’s Resort, they were astounded to arrive and find they were also the lucky recipients of $1700 worth of gift vouchers from 12 generous local businesses and community groups.
The vouchers were from the Sand Pit Cafe, Metcalfs Meats, Rod ‘n’ Reel in Woodburn or the Illawong Hotel, a Kayak Adventure from the Surf Shack, $50 from the RSL Club, a $100 meal at Evans Head Bowling Club donated by the Bombers Rugby League Club, Muzza’s Milk Bar, Hair & Beauty by the Beach, Liberty Fuel, Evans Head Newsagency and family admission and T-shirts for the Evans Head Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum donated by Evans Head Business and Community Chamber.
Keen fisherpeople, the Carters caught a couple of crabs and some flatheads during their stay.
“It was a really nice community with very friendly people,” Larissa Carter said.
“We really enjoyed meeting them all.”
The Carters were also on hand at a community function to accept a $12,000 donation on behalf of the Coonamble district.
Former Coonamble stock and station agent Brian O’Farrell has led the helping hand to Coonamble.
“Since we started we’ve sent 47 semi-trailers of hay to Coonamble,” Mr O’Farrell said.
There have also been cash donations to the Drought Busters fund.
The latest donation is a very welcome $12,000 top-up of the Drought Buster Dollars fund.
• Former Coonamble stock and station agent and now Evans Head businessman Brian O’Farrell with fellow community members Garry McDonald and John Forshaw with Lachie (14 years), Dave, Larissa, twins Carson and Addie (6 years) and Logan Carter (10 years old). The Carters accepted a further $12,000 donation from Evans Head to the Coonamble Drought Busters on behalf of the Coonamble district community. PHOTO: Richmond River Express Examiner.