Rising Together for Rural Queensland with Charlotte Hood (’21)

You may have seen the Rising Together for Rural Queensland Charity Ball grace your social media or news feed recently, seeking to raise money for rural Queenslanders in need of support during the most recent floods. St Margaret’s Old Girl Charlotte Hood (’21) was one of the remarkable women behind the movement, striving to bring attention to and shine a light on a cause very important to her.

After finishing at St Margaret’s, Charlotte spent two seasons working on AACo cattle stations: Dalgonally Station and Headingly Station, respectively. This time out on properties had an immense impact on Charlotte, whose experiences on the land have made this cause a personal one for her:

“During my time at Dalgonally, I also spent a few weeks based at South Galway, which has now been impacted by the floods, so there’s a personal connection there for me. Through organising this ball, I’ve reached out to a number of flood-affected communities and come to understand just how widespread and devastating the damage really is.

“I also know people who were impacted by the 2019 floods in Far North Queensland, which really put into perspective how long recovery actually takes – not months, but years.

“Agriculture and rural Australia have always been a passion of mine, and I’m currently studying Agricultural Business at Marcus Oldham College to further that passion into my career.”

The idea for Rising Together arose from the lack of medica coverage, specifically a lack of photos, that truly captured the devastation experienced by rural Queenslanders during the floods. Charlotte herself found it hard to grasp this reality until she started calling those affected by the floods. Seeing the need for more coverage, Charlotte jumped into action:

“I contacted a journalist I knew who was out in the communities and suggested setting up a Dropbox account where people could upload photos that could then be passed on to social media outlets.

“Through that conversation, I quickly came to understand just how widespread and devastating the damage was. That night, the idea to organise a charity dinner came to mind. I contacted my friend, Amy Kuhne, who then reached out to Bella Hanson – who I only met in person the day before the ball – and within a day, we had secured a venue. What started as a small idea for 100 people quickly grew to 500 once we realised the venue’s capacity and the support behind the cause.”

Charlotte and her co-organisers have been incredibly humbled by the support from rural communities; these communities are incredibly resilient and have worked tirelessly again and again to rebuild their lives in the face of adversity. It can be hard to appreciate the challenges of life on the land when it seems so removed from your own everyday experiences. Their support, for Charlotte, has meant so much to her personally. Support from those who have not personally been affected by the floods, too, has been remarkable, with the awareness raised by Charlotte and her team educating those outside of rural areas. Once everyone understands the extent of the damage or the hardships experienced in these communities, the support can be astounding, and helps in both the immediacy of the situation, but also the long-term recovery:

“It’s not just about immediate relief, but about giving people breathing room during the long, difficult process of rebuilding. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that even though they often stand strong on their own, they’re not facing it alone,” said Charlotte.

“When a city floods, you see an incredible community response. People are close together, resources are nearby, and rebuilding, while difficult, happens faster because everything you need is within reach. It’s easy to assume rural communities would experience the same kind of support, and in their own way, they do. But the reality is very different. Distances are vast, communities are small, and access to help and materials can take weeks, months, or even years. Rebuilding to where they were before the disaster is not a matter of months, it’s often a matter of years.

“That’s why long-term support is so critical. It’s not just about helping in the immediate aftermath but standing by them through the long road ahead. Financial pressure after disasters can be overwhelming, and it is important people know that they aren’t alone. I know that mental health is talked about a lot, but in rural areas it’s not just a buzzword. Farmers are 59% more likely to die by suicide than the general population. That’s a statistic that needs to change. Providing practical help, financial breathing room, and community support isn’t just about rebuilding properties, it’s about saving lives.”

Charlotte’s amazing strength of character and passion for rural communities is palpable, and her determination to make the Rising Together event such a success is a testament to her love and respect for rural Queenslanders. The Ball took place on Saturday 26 April, and was a tremendous success. Over $320,000 was raised, and donations are still being collected, so this total is likely to increase.

Charlotte and her team do not want the credit for the evening’s success, however.

“Whilst the three of us are getting a lot of the credit, the truth is it was a community effort from start to finish. From the people who donated auction items, to the venue who supported us, to every single person that bought a ticket, this event was built by everyone in that room and hundreds more who couldn’t be there on the night. It was a night that showed what can happen when people come together.”

St Margaret’s itself was happy to play a small part in supporting the Rising Together event as a Gold Sponsor, acknowledging the school’s indelible connection over the decades with the nation’s rural communities.

The Old Girls’ Association warmly congratulates Charlotte on her amazing achievement in the organisation of such a wonderful night and for galvanising so many to support an important cause. We look forward to seeing where Charlotte goes with her studies and her continued support of rural Queenslanders. Congratulations, Charlotte, on all your hard work!

By Lizzie Fowler (’19)

Relationships and Mentoring Manager