For many, their choice of formal dress is something they will remember for the rest of their lives — whether they regret it in hindsight or not.

But most formal dresses are worn for a few hours and then live in the back of wardrobes for years, too unique for a second appearance but too important to discard.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 8 minutes 47 seconds 8 m Anita Guyett and Tashoni Hardy speak about why they started Dresses for the Drought ( ABC Tropical North: Tegan Philpott ) Download 20.1 MB

Now, two sisters have started a movement to donate formal dresses and suits to drought-affected teenagers.

Ms Guyett and Ms Hardy thought of the idea only late last week. ( Supplied: Anita Guyett )

Anita Guyett and Tashoni Hardy grew up on a cattle station outside Mackay and have been "heartbroken" to see friends in the farming community living through the "worst drought in living memory".

They wanted to do something to help, but given the sisters are now based in Melbourne and Brisbane, they could not think of a way to make a tangible difference.

"We started to hear stories … that some of these [schools] in drought-affected areas are actually calling off their formals," Ms Guyett said.

"Or fathers are having to say to their daughters that they can't do their formals because they simply can't afford to buy a formal dress.

"We thought 'How awful, this is something we can help out with'.

"There are so many women in Australia that have got spare dresses in their wardrobe. That's something that we can easily organise."

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'Inundated' with donations

Late last Thursday the pair started a Facebook page, Dresses for the Drought, and intended to gather about 20–40 dresses via friends and family.

After a matter of days, the Facebook page now has thousands of followers and the sisters have been contacted by people across Australia wanting to donate.

"The way we're going, we are quite literally going to be able to dress whole schools," Ms Guyatt said.

Ms Hardy said formals were especially significant for young people in rural areas, who may be moving far away from friends and family for university.

But the sentimental value of formal dresses meant people often felt some reluctance to part with them.

"One of my friends gave her wedding dress the other day which I couldn't believe, but she said 'No, it's important people have a special day'," she said.

Ms Hardy said the positive feature of formal dresses was they were usually only worn once or twice, which meant they were in good condition to donate.

"We've got a lot of people who are dropping gowns off that have still got tags attached to them, and the ones without tags are in beautiful condition," she said.

"They've only been worn once for a couple of hours.

Lainey Argent donated two of her daughter Cassie's dresses to the initiative. ( ABC Tropical North: Sophie Meixner )

"We've got people reaching out from all across Australia — we've got people from Darwin, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Mackay, Perth, everywhere — it's unbelievable."

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'They are very sentimental'

Within a day of hearing about the initiative, Lainey Argent dropped off her daughter Cassie's debutante and formal dresses and two suits to a donation point in Mackay.

She said she had "treasured the dresses forever", and parted with them while holding back tears.

"I heard the request for dresses over the radio and I've had these two beautiful deb dresses and formal dresses that belonged to my daughter and I thought 'I can't keep them forever'," she said.

"I know there would be a few more mums out there like me.

"They are very sentimental. I am very emotional, and that's why I had to check with my daughter first, because I just didn't feel like it was mine to part with, and she gave me her blessing to do that.

"I hope there will be a young lady out there who would look just as beautiful as my daughter did on the night.

"It's an absolute joy to be able to share it."

Messages encouraged

Ms Guyett and Ms Hardy have set up a collection point in Brisbane, and are arranging distribution via drought relief groups.

"What we would love to see if possible is people taking some photos of the dresses they're going to send in and maybe hashtag it #dressesforthedrought," Ms Hardy said.

Ms Argent's note reads: "Please accept these dresses with our blessings. I know you will look just as beautiful as my daughter did. Have a fabulous night and know you have lots of friends thinking of you." ( ABC Tropical North: Sophie Meixner )

"The thing we would love for you to do is write a message of support to the young Australian that your dress or suit [is going to]."

"We really want these young Australians who are going to be receiving these garments to know that people in the cities and in the regions care."

The overwhelming response will mean donations will have to be closed off in the near future, but there are plans to make it an annual drive.

The sisters are now are asking drought-affected schools to get in contact with them so they can distribute the items to those who need it.

"We know they are so modest in the country and they won't necessarily ask for help," Ms Guyatt said.

"We know they're resilient people, but don't be afraid to go 'Hey, we would love some help at our school."