Two things that typify Australians are getting together around the BBQ and lending a hand.

Frontier Services is asking people to do both this September for its first Great Outback BBQ. The charity and national agency of the Uniting Church is calling on congregations, friends and families across Australia to host their own Great Outback BBQ event and raise money to support the provision of critical services to rural and remote areas.

Colin Gepp, from Adare Uniting Church in Victor Harbor, was one of the first South Australians to register. Colin and other members of the congregation have been volunteers with the Frontier Services program Outback Links, providing hands-on assistance on a property in north SA.

He plans to hold a Great Outback BBQ in mid-October, gathering as many as possible from the 300-member congregation to attend after Sunday worship.

“We’ve had links to Frontier Services for a while and we know the impact of its work in the Outback and remote areas,” Colin said. “We thought we could pull together a few people for something like this.”

Laurence and Denise Joyce from Wandearah Uniting Church, have also signed up to host a Great Outback BBQ event. It will be held in September at the start of spring, when Wandearah is at its best.

“We will hold it at the Wandearah Institute, maybe with a heritage theme, and everyone will be invited to come along and enjoy,” said Denise.

Laurence and Denise have supported Frontier Services for close to 30 years.

“Our main concern is for people to know about Frontier Services and its ministry in the Outback of Australia,” said Laurence.

Anyone who signs up to the Great Outback BBQ will be sent a BBQ Host Pack including posters, invitations, recipes, fundraising ideas and more.

All the money raised from the Great Outback BBQ will go towards the work of Frontier Services.

If you would like to register for the Great Outback BBQ contact Jacqueline:
p. 1300 787 247
w. frontierservices.org (look for Great Outback BBQ logo)