Help lighten the load for Australia’s farming families
Rural Aid is calling on Australians to help carry the weight for farming families who are doing everything they can to keep going through disasters, adversity and the daily pressures of life on the land.
Behind every farm is a family carrying more than most of us will ever see. They’re caring for livestock, working the land, supporting their families, keeping their businesses going and wondering what the next season will bring.
For many, the weight is becoming too much.
Drought, floods, fires, rising costs, financial pressure and the uncertainty of farming can take a heavy toll. Often, the hardest struggles are the ones no one sees.
Farmers are used to getting on with the job. They don’t always ask for help. They shouldn’t have to face the toughest times alone.
A donation today can help make sure a farming family has someone in their corner when they need it most, providing practical support, a helping hand and hope when the road ahead feels overwhelming.
For farmer Tanya Bertram, recent drought has had a devastating effect. Watching the creek on her 250-acre property in Dalveen, Queensland, run dry has meant facing the ongoing cost of keeping livestock fed.
“We’ve still got possibly six months that we’re going to be hand feeding livestock. That’s quite costly,” Tanya said.
Rural Aid recently provided Tanya’s family with hay and financial assistance, helping them keep their cattle going through the dry conditions.
She has a simple message for anyone thinking of donating to Rural Aid.
“This is where your food comes from,” Tanya said. “Our sheep go to markets, they go to the butchers, they go to your supermarkets.”
“If you can support Rural Aid, please do. It means a lot to farming families knowing there’s someone there when things get tough.”
For Chinchilla cattle farmer Les Mayer, a severe storm changed everything in the space of an hour, destroying his hay shed and damaging his home.
“It happened within a space of an hour, a quite frightening hour and we haven’t been able to live at home since,” Les said.
Months later, Les and his family are still working towards returning home. Rural Aid volunteers helped clear the property, taking a significant burden off the family.
“It’s just a big relief that Rural Aid has come and done all this for us,” Les said.
Les said supporting farmers means supporting every Australian.
“Nobody can survive without a farmer. We’ve all got to eat,” Les said. “Your food and your fibre comes from farmers like me.”
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said donations can help ensure farming families have somewhere to turn when facing challenging times.
“Farmers do so much for all of us, and when dealing with adversity, they need Australians in their corner too,” Mr Warlters said.
“A donation can help provide hay when there is no feed for livestock, financial assistance when a family is under pressure, help after a disaster or mental health support when someone needs it.
“Please stand with our farming families and help carry the weight.”
Help Carry the Weight for Farmers. Donate today at ruralaid.org.au/carrytheweight or call 1300 327 624.
About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au