Drag queens in the Northern Territory haven't let distance from bushfire-affected areas of Australia stop them from doing their bit to help with the recovery effort.
Sequins, glitter and donations flooded into the Darwin Railway Club at the weekend for a night of dinner, dancing and drag.
Production company Drag Territory organised the cabaret to raise money for communities destroyed in the bushfires.
Record-breaking temperatures and severe drought have fuelled massive fires along Australia's east coast that have killed 33 people, scorched millions of hectares of land and destroyed up to one billion animals.
Drag Territory raised an estimated $7,000 to send to the bushfire appeal from the night. Source: Aneeta Bhole
Vogue Megaqueen, who helped organise the event, said the news of the devastating fires has been inescapable and she wanted to find a way to help.
"You can't go on Facebook or watch the news without seeing horrible stories about animals being burnt or people losing their lives and their homes," she explained.
"We wanted to do something that was a little light-hearted and could bring the community together in a fun way, but also contribute to a cause that's really close to all of our hearts."
Living close to 4,000 kilometres away has left many in the Top End scratching their heads thinking of ways to assist, said Ferocia Coutura.
RFS crews remain in the field fighting bushfires across NSW. Source: Sam Mooy/Getty Images
The cabaret event gave people another avenue to help out despite the distance.
"I think it's important because we've got all of our family down south," she said.
"It's hard to know how to give back and support something like this because I feel like we're quite far away.
"An event like this however is the perfect way for us to band together as a community and do something fun while also helping those in need."
Ferocia Coutura was among the queens who performed. Source: Aneeta Bhole
Although recent cooler conditions have brought rain and some respite, blazes are still burning across several eastern states including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
Crystal Love Johnson, a Tiwi sistergirl, as Indigenous transgender Tiwi Islanders are known, was among the performers.
The queens came dressed in colourful cabaret costumes for the fundraising night. Source: Aneeta Bhole
She said the cabaret was a mark of the Australian spirit.
"[The fires have been] a sad thing and takes our spirit away, especially people who are living on the land," she said.
"[The fires] affect us all ... when these things come, they come really bad, but we are so lucky that we are Australian."
Tiwi Sistagirl, Crystal Love Johnson says the cabaret concert is a show of Australian spirit. Source: Aneeta Bhole
The event raised an estimated $7,000 which will be distributed across four charities including WIRES, NSW Rural Fire Service, Victorian Bushfire Relief and the NT Wildlife Crisis and Trauma Relief.
Founder of NT Wildlife Crisis and Trauma Relief, Bree Kiernan said every dollar counts.
"Think of it this way, a $5 coffee translates into a veterinary wrap which can go to koalas or kangaroos," Ms Kiernan said.
Darwin locals say the event helped bridge the tyranny of distance between the Top End and those affected along the southern east coast of Australia. Source: Aneeta Bhole
"Meanwhile, a $50 donation can go towards buying wildlife formula or bedding and also goes toward getting food that we need on the ground."
