During the 2021-22 Rotary year, then president of the Rotary Club of Dubbo, NSW, Carla Pittman, and fellow Rotarians presented country music singer and X Factor runner-up Jason Owen with a substantial donation for his charity Doin it for Rural Aussie Kids.
Founded by Jason and his wife Becy, Doin it for Rural Aussie Kids is an all-inclusive charity helping the next generation in rural communities throughout Australia. Donations and ongoing fundraising efforts are aimed at helping these communities when they experience the harshness of the Australian country, including long periods of extreme weather, isolation and lack of support.
Following their donation, members of the Rotary Club of Dubbo were invited to join Jason for a chat prior to his recent performance at the Dubbo Regional Theatre – and what a night they had!
Club President Andrew McKay, Stuart Webster, Mick Davidson, Glen and Lynne Pittman, Carla Pittman, Ian Bell, Ruth Owers and Barry Brebner spent an hour with Jason in the Regional Theatre Foyer, which was a great experience for all involved. During the get-together, club member and local author Barry Brebner presented Jason with an autographed copy of his latest book, Workers on the Wallaby, a gift that was greatly appreciated.
Club members decided to pool together and provide Jason with an additional 200 copies of the book for use by his charity. Jason said it was a significant donation that would enable him to give many rural Aussie kids a gift they could give their parents at Christmas time.
This is something his charity has been unable to do in the past and he is looking forward to making this gift available for the children.