Volunteers repair flood-affected Gippsland farms
Rural Aid volunteers have been repairing flood-affected farms in the Gippsland this week.
18 volunteers from across Australia have rolled up their sleeves to help Orbost farmers, almost one year on from the extensive floods along the Snowy River.
Many Orbost farmers are also still recovering from drought and the catastrophic bushfires.
Volunteers at Ken Heynes’ property built a fence that will keep his cattle safe in the next flood.
“It just takes a lot of time, doing it on your own. To do what we’ve done in a day would probably take me a week and a half,” the Hereford breeder said.
“It’s great, it just makes life a bit easier.”
Rural Aid Farms Coordinator Grant Miskimmin said the week has been rewarding for both farmers, volunteers and the wider community.
“We’ve been able to help farmers with jobs like repairing fences and planting trees, which has provided a huge boost to the farm’s operations,” Mr Miskimmin said.
“Our volunteers are very proud of their hard work; they’ve travelled hundreds of kilometres to Orbost, pushed through a few chilly starts, and put hours and hours of hard yakka into these properties.
“And the Orbost community has really embraced our visit, which we are so grateful for. We’ve been offered the use of trailers and caravans from locals who want to lend a hand to the cause, which is just so heartening to see.”
For almost half the volunteers, the Orbost Farm Recovery Event was their first-time volunteering with Rural Aid.
“It’s our first experience and it’s been terrific,” volunteer Steve Pascoe said.
“The support we get is great; being able to turn up and everything is organised, the meals are made and the jobs are sorted and the materials and logistics are sorted, so we just turn up and do the work we’re here to do.”
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Mark Reeves praised Rural Aid’s work as being a catch net of support for farmers.
“It’s silent, it’s quiet and very discreet, but it’s powerful when required. It’s fantastic,” Cr Reeves said.
“Those flood events were faster, quicker… than they’ve seen before,” Cr Reeves said.
The volunteers stayed at the Newmerella Showgrounds.
Local community groups catered for the volunteers’ dinners.
Rural Aid purchased tools and equipment from local Gippsland businesses.
About Rural Aid
Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au
For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid Media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.