Instead of getting drunk under a hills hoist, Dale McCleary spent the Australia Day weekend handing out bottles of water that had been donated by the people of Griffith.

When word got out that Mr McCleary was going down to Menindee for a water drive, Griffith jumped on board with characteristic zeal.

RELATED: Generosity pours in for people of Menindee

So many people came in to donate bottles of water that Mr McCleary began storing them at Irrigation Specialists Australia with the help of his friend Scott Grinly.

As the towering stacks of water bottles piled ever higher, the original plan of driving down with his trailer was rendered impractical.

G A and J G Young lent him the use of three semi trailers, which he drove down to Menindee alongside some volunteers.

Within five short days he had received 52 pallets piled high with bottled water, as well as money and fuel vouchers to help get them there.

The town-wide support deeply moved Mr McCleary, who said it was proof that the Australian spirit is still alive and kicking in Griffith.

“It just shows you the character of this town,” he said.

When he drove down to Menindee he met up with a man from Adelaide and a woman from Echuca/Moama who had had the same idea.

Together, they managed to hand out all 80,000 litres of bottled water in six hours to the thirsty people of Menindee.

Some of the locals Mr McCleary met had not showered in weeks because of just how brown and rancid the tap water had become.

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Having seen just how bad things were out in Menindee, Mr McCleary said he felt the need to go again sometime for another water drive.

He said he was confident that if he did so, the people of Griffith would always be there to lend a helping hand.

“Griffith really is an amazing place,” he said.

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