Dresses for the Drought has visited Narromine gifting formal attire for students in the region

As high school formal season approaches, it seems as if it’s just one more cost some can’t wear.

However Dresses for the Drought, run by two sisters Anita Guytt and Tashoni Hardy, are doing their bit to help provide beautiful dresses and suits for young Australians in drought affected areas, so that they can feel special on their big day.

After growing up on a cattle station in North Queensland and knowing many who are directly affected by the drought the pair wanted to do their bit to help out. 

Ms Hardy said  the campaign initially began after speaking with a mother who couldn’t afford to send her daughter to her formal due to expenses being spent on the farm. 

“The costs of running the farm and feeding the animals has been too much, she can barely afford to put food on the table,” Ms Hardy said.

The pair said year 12 formals are very significant for young people in rural areas, as many travel away from friends and family for university.

“Between both of us we had so many dresses we didn’t use and so we thought if we did, then others might also,” Ms Hardy said.

The sisters began a Facebook group and in a matter of hours they had begun a movement, with people across Australia contacting them wanting to donate.

“We started a Facebook group that night and within 72 hours we were on the Today Show and had an enormous following,” Ms Hardy said.

Dresses for the Drought visited Narromine last weekend to gift free dresses and suits for Year 12 students across the region. 

Year 12 students from as far West as Dunedoo to Bourke were invited to check out the gowns, dresses, clutches and suits, many which are of immaculate quality and on trend.

Narromine High School teacher Simone Googe said about 50 dresses and suits were gifted, and many more items have been left to be shipped to Bourke for a similar event in the near future.

Each gifted item had a tag with a supportive note from the people who donated the item.

“Most people that came looking for something, left with something,” Ms Googe said.

Ms Googe said while it was a collaborative effort by numerous staff at Narromine High, Courtney and her husband from Dresses for the Drought were the “real angels” volunteering their time to drive from Sydney through Orange to collect more dresses.

Now with over 10,000 followers Ms Hardy said to date over 5000 dresses and 2700 suits have been donated as well as shoes, clutches and accessories.