Farmers, business operators, social support service providers and other community members are being urged to go along and share their experiences about the social impacts of the prolonged drought.

As well, they’re being asked to offer an opinion on what is working well, how to do it better and what else needs to be made available when it comes to community support.

Forums in Esperance and Merredin during July are part of a two month tour of regional Australia by an expert panel set up to examine the social impacts of drought and related support services for farm families and rural communities.

One is being held at the Esperance Bay Yacht Club, on Monday 28 July, 2008 from 2 – 5 pm and another will be held at the Merredin Regional Community and Leisure Centre on Wednesday July 30 from 4pm to 7pm.

Anyone unable to attend the forums in person are invited to make submissions by email.

More information on the panel’s review and its issues paper can be obtained from the National Review of Drought Policy’s website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtpolicyreview or by calling (free of charge) 1800 200 876