The burden of the drought was set aside for one night in Gunnedah as more than 80 locals gathered for a sing-along.
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Former local Lucy Ravenwood (nee Amos) launched the inaugural Belt out the Big Dry event at the Gunnedah Hotel to raise the spirits of the community in hard times and said there was an "awesome turnout".
"It was so wonderful to see lots of familiar faces and meet plenty of new ones and it was fantastic to have a great mix of farmers, local business people, young, old, guys, gals all in fine voice," she said.
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A few drinks from The Welder's Dog's "karma keg" may have done something to bolster the confidence of locals and Mrs Ravenwood's brother Cameron Amos DJ'd after the singing wrapped up.
Mrs Ravenwood encouraged attendees to share their thoughts on the event in an online survey and there were plenty of positives.
Respondents said it was a "wonderful initiative and worthwhile night out", "lifts the spirits" and "puts a bit of rubber back on the tyres".
"It was good old-fashioned entertainment that wasn't expensive, and got people out and having fun together," one attendee said.
There were also calls for another round - "can't wait for another one - booking my baby sitter in now!".
Mrs Ravenwood has plans to launch more Belt Out The Big Dry events in NSW and Queensland in the coming months.