Biggenden farmers receive hay, volunteer help from Rural Aid
Australia’s most trusted rural charity has helped North Burnett farmers with an army of volunteers and large hay delivery.
35 volunteers have worked across six farms in Biggenden, helping to repair flood affected properties.
Local cattle farmer Norm Schonrock went through two floods in a year that took out multiple fences.
“We had a fair bit of fencing down, so the volunteers came and picked up all the old wire that was twisted around posts or lying down because we had cattle getting caught in that,” Norm said.
“All those jobs that we always mean to get done but that don’t take priority, we’re getting a lot of those done now, so it’s really helpful.”
The Rural Aid volunteers completed dozens of jobs as part of the Farm Recovery Event, including repairing fences, building ramps and constructing shade sails.
Rural Aid also distributed 112 tonnes of hay between a dozen farmers at the start of the week.
Rural Aid Farm and Community Coordinator Grant Miskimmin noted the area was feeling the dry already, and that the 203 bales would help tide locals over.
“It’s pretty dry around here at the moment, and the farmers are all a bit nervous about what’s ahead of them so it’s a great time to be here and to help them out,” he said.
“Farmers find it very difficult to deal with some of these natural disasters,” Grant said.
Biggenden farmers were also gifted lickblocks and Multikraft Probiotic Solutions throughout the week.
The volunteers stayed at the Biggenden showgrounds and worked on properties between Monday September 25 and Friday September 29, inclusive.
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.