A small South Australian town has come together to thank Rural Aid for its assistance over the past three years.
Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, purchased much of its drought relief hay from farmers in the Lock region since 2019.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said he’s very grateful to Lock farmers for providing huge quantities of much-needed hay to the driest corners of Australia.
“Hay was hard to find in the middle of the drought,” Mr Warlters said. “Rural Aid delivered thousands upon thousands of bales across Australia, thanks to the Lock growers.”
“The contract is coming to an end, but we look forward to supporting this special part of South Australia in new ways.” Farmer Ty Habner has been supplying hay to Rural Aid for a few years. After vicious frosts jeopardized the Lock economy, Ty said that knowing there was a market for his crop was a huge relief.
“It was massive for us, just to have the option,” Mr Habner said.
“And it’s good to know that it’s going to drought affected farmers. We’ve helped them and they’ve helped us. It’s good for the soul.”
Mick Hancock has been tasked with the logistics of delivering hay across Australia using his fleet of trucks at Hancock Farming Enterprises.
“Rural Aid bought a lot of hay at a decent price, and they weren’t taking advantage of people. Rural Aid purchased approximately 11 thousand tonnes of hay from around Lock, equating to $2.6 million dollars, which in turn provided further economic benefits to Lock.”
“The town of Lock is very grateful to Rural Aid,” Mr Hancock said. The last bales are being trucked out of Lock today, headed for Narromine. The fodder will provide relief for mouse plague affected farmers.
For more information, or interviews, please contact Ash Whittaker at Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au
NOTE: Please find below a link to a VNR with pre-shot interviews and B-roll
Two schools in the Whitsundays region now have access to sustainable drinking water through new state-of-the-art technology.
Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, has partnered with Evolution Mining to provide SOURCE® Hydropanels to the Merinda State School and Collinsville State High School.
This technology uses only the power of the sun to tap into the abundant supply of pure water vapour in the air to deliver high-quality drinking water free of infrastructure.
Rural Aid Philanthropy and Development Manager Craig Marsh said the technology will improve the lives of North Queensland students.
“These pupils now have access to the highest quality, sustainably produced water,” Mr Marsh said.
“Rural Aid is committed to the sustainability of rural communities with the help of outstanding corporate partners.”
Evolution Mining’s Health, Safety and Community Manager at Mount Carlton, Mark Brown, said Evolution is proud of its ongoing partnership with Rural Aid.
“We are very happy to support the first hydropanels in North Queensland in the schools and region near our Mount Carlton operation, which will help to create a more sustainable and resilient local community,” Mark Brown said.
An array of 20 hydropanels have been installed at Collinsville State High School and 10 at Merinda State School, capable of supporting 130 and 50 students and teachers respectively.
Merinda State School Principal Ryan Gilmour said his school is extremely fortunate to have the hydropanels.
“The delicious-tasting drinking water is certainly popular with all the students, staff and visitors. We can’t thank Rural Aid, SOURCE Global and Evolution Mining enough for bringing this amazing project to our school community,” Mr Gilmour said.
Collinsville State High School Principal Anna Reeves acknowledged the educational benefits for students.
“With Australia being a very dry continent, this technology will allow people in remote locations to extract water from the water vapour in the air, which is more sustainable and environmentally responsible than using disposable plastic water bottles, or extracting water from the ground. With students able to observe how this innovative technology works, they will be able to promote its uptake,” Mrs Reeves said. SOURCE Global’s Chief Revenue Officer Rob Bartrop agreed the cutting-edge technology is a win for the environment, and for students; a single hydropanel can offset up to 54,750 plastic bottles over its 15-year lifetime.
“The use of decentralised, renewable technologies like SOURCE give regional and remote parts of Australia the opportunity to become healthier and more resilient, while avoiding the cost, waste and inconvenience of single use plastic bottles,” Mr Bartrop said.
For more information, contact Ash Whittaker, Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757.
Available for interview: Craig Marsh, Rural Aid Philanthropy and Development Manager,0427 976 294 Rob Bartrop, SOURCE Global’s Chief Revenue Officer, +1 602-545-3414 or rob.bartrop@source.co Mark Brown, Evolution Health, Safety and Community Manager, 0437 334 502
About Rural Aid: Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity. 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 and resilient rural communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers.
About Evolution Mining: Evolution Mining is a leading, growth-focused Australian gold miner. Evolution operates five wholly-owned mines – Cowal in New South Wales, Mungari in Western Australia, Mt Rawdon and Mt Carlton in Queensland, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada. In addition, Evolution holds an economic interest in the Ernest Henry copper-gold mine in Queensland. Evolution have grown into a globally relevant mid-tier gold producer since inception in November 2011 and is proud of its strong partnerships which support planned positive and sustainable legacies in our communities.
About SOURCE: A Public Benefit Corporation, SOURCE Global, PBC’s mission is to make drinking water an unlimited resource. The company’s SOURCE® Hydropanels create drinking water using sunlight and air as the only inputs, and can put the power of safe, sustainable drinking water in the hands of every person in nearly every climate and corner of the world. SOURCE is on Fast Company’s 2020 list of most innovative social good companies. The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and operates in 52 countries and on six continents. SOURCE is a registered trademark of SOURCE Global, PBC. For more information, visit www.source.co and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, has announced a $1 million fund to assist mouse plague affected farmers across the country.
Rural Aid has today opened applications for a $1000 emergency support payment, to assist affected primary producers with recovery.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the plague is a living nightmare for farmers.
“The ongoing mouse plague is crippling farmers’ finances and wreaking havoc with their mental and physical health,” Mr Warlters said.
“Farmers have reported decimated hay storages, chewed out machinery and destroyed crops.
“But arguably the most horrific part of this plague is the damage these rodents have caused inside farmers’ homes.
“Mice have crept into every crevice of every cupboard. There isn’t a corner of the house they can’t be found. Farmers and their families are unable to get a decent nights’ sleep without mice chewing on toes and scampering across beds.”
The Rural Aid mouse plague fund will help farmers replace damaged household goods and fodder supplies.
“The sheer volume of mice looks to be on the decline thanks to traps, baits and the cold weather, meaning farmers are now starting to think about refurbishing their homes,” Mr Warlters said.
Rural Aid has also facilitated hay drops in affected regions.
Later this week, a round of hay trucks will arrive in Narromine, delivering much-needed fodder to dozens of farmers.
The Rural Aid board recently met in Orange, NSW, where they heard harrowing stories and were left in no doubt about the scale and severity of the problem and the important role Rural Aid could play in assisting affected families.
“Rural Aid is committed to helping Australia’s incredibly resilient primary producers recover from yet another natural disaster,” Mr Warlters said.
Individuals and businesses big and small that would like to assist can donate to Rural Aid via the website. Farmers can assess their eligibility and apply for the financial assistance via the website. https://www.ruralaid.org.au/mouseplague
For interviews or information, contact Ash Whittaker at Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au
Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, has today delivered hay to 15 farmers in Meringur and surrounds.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the region’s farmers are still being impacted by the ongoing drought.
“The dry spell is still making life extremely hard for these farmers,” Mr Warlters said.
“Rural Aid’s hay drop will not only ease financial pressure for these producers, but it will also provide some emotional encouragement. This hay was purchased thanks to the donations of selfless Australians and Rural Aid’s generous corporate partners like Bushells.”
More than 280 bales, transported over four truckloads, were distributed to 15 farmers today.
Andrew Kay is a Meringur cattle farmer and hay recipient. He said the donated hay arrived at an ideal time.
“We had a half decent year last year, but it hasn’t rained this year at all really. So to have a top-up of hay- it’s a God-send,” Mr Kay said.
“Everyone is hanging in there, waiting for rain, but it just seems to be going around us…. it’s quite stressful really.”
Representatives from the National Drought Recovery Agency were also present at the fodder drop.
Rural Aid Community Representative Carly Noble said the hay drop was a good chance for farmers to get up to date on current assistance measures.
“It’s great to have inter-agency support for the farmers who are collecting their hay,” Mrs Noble said.
“It reminds them that they’re not alone in their time of need.”
Rural Aid is urging farmers to register and to reach out if they need a hand. Rural Aid provides fodder, financial, water and mental wellbeing assistance to registered primary producers.
Australia’s leading rural charity Rural Aid has finished up a week in Walgett as part of its award-winning Our Towns program. Walgett has been awarded $100,000 to boost the town’s growth and sustainability over the next five years.
In addition to the financial boon, 36 volunteers have spent a week giving the region a physical makeover. The team was able to spruce up Walgett’s famous Bore Baths, build new gardens at Apex Park, updo the Historical Museum and install street furniture around town. The project has been made possible by property investment and development company Holdmark and Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. A Community Development Plan is in the final stages of completion and will help guide the town’s future. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters thanked the volunteers for putting in a huge effort. “After postponing Walgett’s Our Towns week due to flooding, it was great to finally make it to town and get started,” Mr Warlters said.
“The work our volunteers have achieved this week is incredible. They’ve poured their hearts into the town’s projects. We can’t wait to see tourists making the most of Walgett’s upgraded facilities.” Christine Ford is one of three Walgett locals instrumental in organising Rural Aid’s visit to town. She thanked the charity and volunteers for the work they’ve poured into the community. “I think it’s given us the incentive to carry on. “We have plans in our head that we will carry on and will keep making a difference.”
Holdmark CEO Mr Sarkis Nassif said, “The Rural Aid Our Towns program is an important initiative and one that Holdmark Property Group is proud to be supporting. It is great to see the volunteers working hand in hand with locals to build capacity in regional communities like Walgett.” “With Volunteer Week having just been celebrated, it is fantastic to see first-hand the significant contribution from the volunteers here in Walgett this week. Evidence shows that volunteering connects us to others in our local communities, to better mental well-being; this forms part of the Holdmark ethos.”
The next Our Towns project is planned for Brewarrina from the 4th to the 10th of July.
The award-winning Our Towns program is part of Rural Aid’s Stonger Futures initiative. Rural Aid is heavily invested in strengthening rural communities through its multi-faceted Stronger Futures program- giving locals the resources and confidence needed to help their region thrive. For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au.
