Come along, have a laugh with a mate and get some information on looking after you and your family in tough times.

“The drought is having an ongoing effect throughout rural communities, and the lack of rain is really getting everyone down,” says Jeff Kennett, Chairman of Beyond Blue.

The evenings are free and feature Murray Hartin and other special guests, including a mental health professional and an experienced carer.

Some may remember Murray from performances with his madcap mates, The Naked Poets. Murray is an Australian story teller who will make you laugh, cry and also visualise the spoken word with his unique style.

His stories tell of mateship, and how lucky we are to have families and be Australian.

“His poem ‘Rain from Nowhere’ expresses many of the life experiences faced by men in rural Australia, and importantly it offers hope,” Mr Kennett said. “However bad things may seem, at any given time they pale into insignificance when compared to the gift of life.”

Even Alan Jones has praise for his work - “Murray Hartin is brilliant. He understands the bush.”

The evenings coming up on May 8 and 9 in the area have been made possible by grants from the Country Women’s Association, Greater Southern Area Health, NSW Department of Primary Industries and supported by the NSW Farmer’s Association.

A light dinner will be served at each of the sessions free of charge between 6 and 7pm.

For more information contact Kimberley Clark on 6124 9870 or Sue Haslingden on 6458 3330.