Free bottled water for Bourke

Bringing water to Bourke Ethan Pinner, Daniel Hansom, Ky Lolania-Priestlley and Lanz Priestley PHOTO TWH

Ben Ritchie of Bourke Steel and Hire unloading the water on Saturday PHOTO TWH

Bourke residents were savouring the flavour of fresh, bottled drinking water this week after a delivery from Dignity Water.

The charity is headed by Lanz Priestly who said his mission was to deliver fresh, safe drinking water to people across the Far West.

Lanz, who is known as the ‘Homeless Mayor of Martin Place’ in Sydney, is a champion of those who often struggle for the basic necessities, including fresh water.

At the weekend he and his team arrived in Bourke with 66 pallets of bottled water – 1000 litres – ready for distribution from Bourke Steel and Hire.

By Saturday afternoon, the water was handed out and Lanz was on his way to his next mission.

It’s been a labour of love, plus a few battles along the way for Lanz, who ran into some hurdles when the State government refused to make promised payments other than on a 30-day cycle.

Some tough talk and a reality check from Lanz and the problem was resolved, with transport companies getting their payments and residents getting their water.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.