Eighty people came together in the heart of outback Queensland for the Nebine Community Centre Fundraising Cricket Match held on September 24.

The Centre, located 190 km west of Mitchell in southwest Queensland, is a vital social hub for people living in remote and often isolated locations across the region.

The annual cricket match was held to raise funds for Frontier Services, which provides critical support to people living in remote Australia.

Amanda Bowen, who helped organise the event, said the Centre had decided to raise money for Frontier Services because the organisation had touched so many people in the region.

“Sometimes living out here, it can feel like there is no one that really cares about you but when you get a visit from Frontier Services it just brightens up your day,” Ms Bowen said.

The Nebine region experienced drought for 10 years until 2009 and then last year was struck by flooding.

“Frontier Services provided a lot of support during the drought and the flood, whether it was someone coming to visit us or dropping off a pack of tinned food.”

“They were there to support people through the emotional damage as well. It was just having someone to talk to, not always about what happened, just about other things. You actually felt like there was someone who cared.”

On the day, members of the Morven, Mitchell and Injune Cricket Clubs battled it out on the cricket pitch with two games played.

Outstanding play came from Sam Moore and Ned Whip from Morven with 36 not out and Brad Cameron from Injune/Nebine with 44 runs. Best Bowler was Mick Jukes from Morven with three wickets for six runs.

About 40 children who came along took part in a host of fun educational activities coordinated by the Frontier Services Remote Area Families Service (RAFS) based out of Charleville with some bright and very artistic face painting.

Two local musicians Maggie Burey and Nathan Moody entertained the crowd well into the night and there was a jumping castle for the children in the evening.

The Nebine Community Centre is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers. It has three tennis courts, a cricket pitch, library and playground.

“The centre is the social and recreational hub for many local rural families,” said Ms Bowen. Days like the annual cricket match were an important opportunity to bring people together.

“You can become so wrapped up in what’s happening on your place that you forget about what else is happening. It is a good opportunity to find out what else is going on. Everyone really seemed to enjoy the event. It was a relaxed, easygoing day.”

“We thank all our sponsors on the day. Hopefully we will see you all again next year.”

Frontier Services provides a number of services to people living in the Nebine region including RAFS, Remote Family Care Service, the Burke and Wills Patrol Ministry, In Home Care, the Bollon Bush Nursing Centre and Outback Links.