SU Qld's 130 school chaplains are a vital resource to school students in the outback affected by drought, the rural and economic downturn, and family breakdown.
Tim Mander, CEO of SU Qld, said the Stock Up For Hope Charity Drove will also raise funds for school chaplaincy services in regional and isolated areas.
"Chaplains are making sensational inroads in bringing young people, their families, and entire communities, into a closer relationship with God," he said.
Mr Mander called on Queenslanders to donate more cattle to Roma Saleyards by 12 October or to buy a cow online for the cause.
Forty representatives from Australia's leading corporations will join the Charity Drove during its five week duration, to better understand the issues and problems affecting their customers in outback areas, many of whom are also their suppliers.
"This is no romanticised bush holiday – corporates taking part will be outside in their swags, under the stars in the cold and eating basic food cooked on the campfire," he said.
Representatives from Santos, Elders, Rabobank and Landmark will meet farming families and local school chaplains during the Drove, which culminates in the auctioning of the cattle and an Agribusiness Forum in Roma on October 13. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson will also take part in the droving adventure.
"We're hoping to raise $300,000 through the auction of cattle which have all been donated by local cattle producers, despite the current economy," Mr Mander said.
"Queenslanders also have the opportunity to buy a cow or part of a cow online at stockupforhope.org.au and help bring hope to young people in the bush."
Brisbane's own celebrity chef Jason Peppler, of Confit and Isis fame, is supporting the Charity Drove by preparing the 500-head Gala Dinner celebration in Roma on October 13, attended by townsfolk, agribusiness leaders, drove participants and families from the local district.
Mr Mander said the Stock Up For Hope Charity Drove was about offering friendship and positive Christian role models for the thousands of young people living in regional areas.
"Many of them struggle with feelings of isolation, depression and loneliness… Chaplains are a constant presence and a beacon of hope. The Drove will mean more chappies in outback areas can make a tangible difference to families needing hope and God's love."
"Our school chaplains in rural areas are finding themselves supporting students through issues such as parental separation, depression, financial problems, and even suicide, so great is the current pressure on the family unit," he said.
"Many rural chaplains are finding that they're not just providing support to students – their assistance and moral support is extending to other family members as well."
SU Qld is the nation's largest provider of school chaplains. Over 500 SU Qld school chaplains are currently serving 330,000 Queensland young people.
"But we still have more than 140,000 students missing out on the listening ear and caring support of a school chaplain," said Mr Mander.
"We need to raise funds to keep these chaplaincy services up and running and see more chaplains serving more school communities full time."
Since the Federal Government agreed two years ago to fund school chaplains two days a week, the scheme has been a resounding success, with a recent study by SU Qld indicating principals were overwhelmingly in favour of the maintaining the program. It found that:
• A school chaplain's most valuable role was considered pastoral care and emotional support;
• Principals had no concern about the Christian basis of chaplaincy due to the overwhelming success of the school chaplain program;
• Principals felt that having a chaplain made their school a more caring, supportive and safe environment; and
• Chaplains helped with issues such as bullying, sexuality, mental health and alcohol and drug abuse.
All funds raised will support school chaplains with SU Qld, the fastest growing children's and youth organisation in Australia.