TOYOTA MUSTER RURAL AID APPEAL 2008 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
In 1993, Australia was suffering the worst drought on record. In response to outback cries for help, Gympie Apex Club, organisers of the Toyota Muster, decided to raise funds to support the national drought appeal. As a result, the Rural Aid Appeal was initiated. Since then, the Appeal has annually raised up to $100,000 for nominated charities, working specifically to help rural Australians in need. Over the years, beneficiaries have including Rural Youth Suicide, Diabetes Australia, The Melanoma Foundation, Leukaemia Foundation, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Transplant Australia to name some.

Funds are raised through the sales from an extensive range merchandise, which includes a compilation Muster country 4-CD album, a compilation Muster blues 2-CD album, hats, clothing, leathergoods, Muster souvenirs, and selected Driza-Bone, Bundaberg Rum and XXXX merchandise. Click here to see the range or phone 07 5482 2099 for a FREE catalogue.

In 2008, the event is again focusing on fellow Australians in dire need due to drought. The Appeal will assist a number of selected community groups whose communities are drought-affected and doing it tough.

The Gympie Apex Club is calling for nominations from non-profit organisations in drought- affected communities around Australia to apply for assistance from the Rural Aid Appeal.

Nominations are being sought from not-for-profit community groups that are endeavouring to assist their community to cope with the devastating effects of drought or making a constructive contribution for the betterment of their drought-stricken community. Submissions will be presented to a panel of judges and a number of applicants will be selected to receive a share of funds raised by this year's Toyota Muster's Rural Aid Appeal.
Funds raised will be distributed between successful applicants, and a deserving family nominated by each of these applicants will be invited as guests of the Toyota Muster to enjoy the event. The Event's major sponsor, Toyota, has added to their support by providing a new Camry Altise auto, including air conditioning and on road costs, valued at $32,500RRP. This vehicle will be awarded to the submission which, in the judging panel's opinion, best satisfies their criteria of a worthwhile community group or project. The announcement will be made on Main Stage at the Muster with the families and major sponsors present. A function, for all families, sponsors, judges, supporting media and government agencies will be held at the event to highlight the project and the current needs in the bush.

And for those groups who were not successful this year, the Gympie APEX Club have generously agreed to supply each group with tickets to the 2008 Toyota Muster. That's over $18,000 worth of tickets. Not bad for those who missed out, and a great consolation for groups who took the time and effort to apply for funds for they're very worthy projects.

For an application form, contact the Toyota Muster office by: Phone 07 5482 2099, Fax 07 5482 7622, Email info@muster.com.au

Click here to download application form and please send to: Toyota Muster, PO Box 616, Gympie Qld 4570 or email info@muster.com.au by July 20, 2008.

CRITERIA
n Only not-for-profit incorporated community groups will be considered, preference to those seriously affected by drought.
n Applicants must make a written submission, which includes:
n a profile of the community group applying and details of its primary service, achievements, activities, role within the community, and structure ie. management & membership structure, paid employee(s), volunteer(s) activities, funding sources, etc;
n an outline of how monies awarded from the Toyota Muster's Rural Aid Appeal will be used to establish or develop something worthwhile which will benefit their community and make a significant or lasting impact on the community. Please include information on the project need, details of existing circumstances, expected outcomes, project plan, project timeframes, expected community benefits, community partnerships, alternative or supplementary sources of funding etc.outline of the issues the project will address;
n a financial plan/budget of the proposed project and the organisation's contribution and any other expected funding sources and an indication of the total grant sought (successful applicants may receive full or part of the total grant sought);
n a community description - size, location, how it is affected by the drought, how the proposed project can make an impact on the community.
n Annual report, copy of certificate of incorporation, latest audited financial statement and any publications that assists to define the proposal.

TOYOTA MUSTER RURAL AID APPEAL 2007

Community groups from all over Australia responded in droves to the Toyota Muster's Rural Aid Appeal Call for Nominations 2007, and our panel of independent judges had a hard time choosing which projects would receive our financial help this year. Read on, you'll meet the 11 groups who were successful beneficiaries of the 2007 Toyota Muster's Rural Aid Appeal, sharing in over $100,000! Also, the Gympie APEX Club generously supplied each group with tickets to the event, enjoyed by all.

Toyota & Aussie Helpers
Muster major sponsor, Toyota Australia, wanted to support Gympie APEX Club in helping ease the pain of drought throughout our country and so they donated a new Toyota Hilux SR 4 litre V6 manual petrol pickup including air conditioning and on-road costs, valued at $27,000. Of the eleven groups, one was to receive the Toyota Hilux - announced on Main Stage on Muster Sunday. Proud recipient of the prize vehicle was Aussie Helpers, and founder Brian Egan was on hand to accept.

Toyota Ambassador, Melinda Schneider, presented this deserving group with the new HiLux on Muster Main Stage. The vehicle will assist the group continue its work fighting rural poverty experienced by those severely affected by drought in the outback.
'The HiLux is going to make it easier for us to reach more rural families in need. The demands on our organisation have increased every year since we started in 2002. It's important that we continue to keep lifting the spirits of farming families, by helping out with feed, supplies and an understanding ear,'Brian Egan said.

Toyota's Promotions and Events Manager, Wayne Gabriel, recognises the vital role that the Toyota Muster plays in not only showcasing country music in a community environment, but also in raising money for non-profit community groups.

'We started supporting the Toyota Muster in 1999 to give something back to country music fans who have loyally supported our brand for over 40 years. During this time we seen it as a great way to make a meaningful contribution to rural communities through the Rural Aid Appeal,' Wayne said. 'It's amazing to see the army of Muster fans arriving in their Toyota Land Cruisers, Prados, Klugers, RAV4s and HiLuxes; and we're pleased to involve one of our Ambassadors, Melinda Schneider, to present Aussie Helpers with a brand new Toyota HiLux,' he said.

Congratulations to the following 11 groups who, through endeavouring to assist their local community groups endure the drought, were successful in their bid to receive funds raised by the Toyota Muster Rural Aid Appeal 2007.

Aussie Helpers Assn Inc. Qld
Registered Charity established in 2002, working to help fight poverty and lift the spirits of those severely affected by drought in the outback. The charity helps farming families in their daily lives, helps keep breeding stock alive, and helps lift up the spirits of struggling farmers.
Project: To assist with national expansion by helping to purchase vehicle and trailers.

Bollon Tennis Club Inc., Qld
Established in 1999, although tennis has been played on site since the 1930's. Provides organized and social tennis on a weekly basis, which gives respite for local rural families.
Project: To improve and develop facilities for sport and other social activities

Builyan State School P&C, Qld
Established in 1950's. Very isolated community group with a one-teacher school. Currently trucking in water and has very poor communications with remainder of Australia and the world.
Project: Trip to Canberra for students.

Delatite Community Health Service, Vic
Established in 1992, as part of Benalla & District Memorial Hospital, providing a range of health services, including speech & occupational therapy, diabetes, nursing, rural outreach activities, social work, dental, family planning, psychology, financial counselling and more.
Project: To develop PITSTOP - a one-stop health screening for males in five nearby drought affected communities.

Glenmorgan Gumnuts Playgroup
Sponsored by Tara Neighbourhood Centre Inc., Qld. Established in 2005, this is the only playgroup in the area. Acts as a setting for rural families to come together to socialize and provide an opportunity for mothers and children to mix with their peers.
Project: To provide resources for children to assist in their education of safe road usage, and safety in farming activities.

Juandah Heritage Society Inc., Qld
Formed in 1997 to preserve, conserve and present the history of the district. Includes a museum and information centre.
Project: To restore the original railway quarters as a major tourist attraction thereby boosting the area's economy.

Little River Landcare Group Inc., NSW
Established in 1998, providing landholder families with professional advice and assistance in managing their natural resources.
Project: To establish 'Confident & Resilient Farm Families' project aimed at helping farming families manage personal and business pressures experienced as a result of prolonged drought.

Murilla Community Centre, Qld.
Established in 1991, the organization conducts rural family support programs including financial counselling, personal counselling, care for elderly and people with disabilities, childcare, and co-ordinates access to government services.
Project: To purchase a new small business telephone system to cope with increasing demand.

Nebine Community Centre & Sporting Club Inc., Qld
Established in 1964, the Centre is open daily for events such as playgroup, community meetings, social gatherings and used as a health clinic by visiting doctors. It is the social centre for the district and includes three tennis courts, canteen, library and playground.
Project: To present a Drought Buster Bonanza early in 2008 and to purchase catering equipment.

Stanhope & Dist Kindergarten, Vic.
Community managed kindergarten.
Project: To open an Occasional Child Care facility for one day per week to give respite for children and mothers of drought affected rural families.

Volunteers of Isolated Students Educations Inc (VISE), ACT
Established in 1990, to assist families whose students are studying through distance education programmes. Qualified trainers visit rural families and live with them while students upgrade their learning.
Project: To run workshops to train extra volunteer teachers.