Dirranbandi raffle winner the star of a charity campaign

Posted on 8 March 202131 October 2023

Dirranbandi mother of six Anne Brischetto is now the face of a nationwide Rural Aid campaign, after winning big in a charity raffle last year.  

Mrs Brischetto features in a new video that has been published on the Play for Purpose and Rural Aid social media sites.  

The Lott’s Play for Purpose raffle is a not-for-profit community raffle. Raffle tickets are $10, with a guaranteed minimum of $5 per ticket going directly back to the player’s charity of choice.  

The raffles have helped Rural Aid raise tens of thousands of dollars towards its life-changing programs.  

Mrs Brischetto said she chose to support Rural Aid because she knows how tough life on the land can be.  

“I usually have cattle on the place, but because of the drought, which we’ve had for nine years, I’ve had to shift them away,” she said.  

She said winning a prize in the last raffle was a huge thrill. 

“A lady rang me and told me that I’d won the third major prize in the raffle, which was $7500 of Myer vouchers. I didn’t actually believe her because I never win anything!” 

The video, which was premiered this morning, shows the headphones and home gym that Mrs Brischetto bought with her prize. 

“I think Rural Aid is a very good charity to donate to, because it supports the farmers and you’ve got the chance that you might win something that you wouldn’t normally have,” she said.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was great to see a farmer have a win. 

“We’re always appreciative of any donations made to Rural Aid by our generous Aussie supporters,” Mr Warlters said. “But it makes it that much sweeter when our donors benefit too!” 

Mrs Brischetto’s video can be viewed on the Rural Aid Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RuralAidAustralia/videos/174006547663585  

The current Play for Purpose raffle closes this Thursday with a $250k prize pack on offer. Tickets are still available at https://playforpurpose.com.au/rural-aid 

For more information, contact the Rural Aid media officer on 0447 116 757. 

NEW EXPO IN BARRABA

Posted on 2 March 202131 October 2023

A new Rural Aid event will better connect farmers and support agencies, with New England and North West farmers the first to benefit. 

The upcoming Community Expo in Barraba is a chance for those on the land to easily gauge programs available to them, and determine their eligibility. 

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters, said the event was crucial to filling in a knowledge-gap.  

“Farmers have told us they struggle to sift through all the options when it comes to receiving support in times of trouble. This expo is a convenient way for those on the land to understand which services are out there, and able to help,” Mr Warlters said.  

He added, “Rural Aid is passionate about helping country communities build stronger futures for themselves, and this event is a perfect example of that.” 

A number of organisations are attending the expo including the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, Tamworth Regional Council, St John Ambulance, Centacare and Landcare.  

The Community Expo will kickstart Rural Aid’s Our Towns project in Barraba on Sunday, March 21.   

More than 60 volunteers will spend the week making over Barraba’s public and private spaces – boosting morale and injecting funds into the community. Barraba will also receive $100,000 over five years to keep the town thriving, thanks to Holdmark’s partnership with Rural Aid. 

The Expo runs from 10am-2pm on Sunday, March 21 at the Barraba Showgrounds.  

Entry is free and a morning tea will be provided. Due to covid restrictions, farmers must be registered to attend. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/covid-registration to pre-register.  

For more information, call Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or email on media@ruralaid.org.au  

Country music star releases Rural Aid concert hit

Posted on 19 February 202131 October 2023

Queensland singer-songwriter Mick Lindsay is just one week away from launching his latest single as part of Rural Aid’s Good Onya Mate concert. 

After hearing of the concert last year, Mick and country music icon Lee Kernaghan were so moved they put pen to paper, writing the “Good Onya Mate” single for the November event. 

“It’s about Aussie mateship, culture and helping a mate out when times are tough. Our Aussie farmers have endured floods, fire, drought, and more recently, a lot of challenges with Covid-19,” Mick said.  

“And although for the most part it’s looking up, there are still a lot of people on the land that could use a hand up,” he added.  

CEO of Rural Aid John Warlters said “Good Onya Mate” was the perfect reflection of the Aussie way of life. 

“Mick’s new song is an Australian anthem. Rural Aid was proud to debut it at our Good Onya Mate concert,” Mr Warlters said.  “It’s great to see Mick officially launching the song on February 26th. It’s the perfect way to end Rural Aid’s Mates Helping Mates Australia Day campaign.” 

Mick Lindsay said the Rural Aid support of hay, water, financial help and mental wellbeing counselling has a powerful impact across the nation.  

“Rural Aid is a vital part of rural Australia’s support network. I’d urge you to check out the work that they are doing by jumping on the socials or going to www.ruralaid.org.au,” he said.  

“If you’d like to help out our farmers, always buy local, Australian-made produce and consider throwing a few bucks to Rural Aid to support their cause.” 

Donations can still be made to the Mates Helping Mates fundraiser by visiting www.ruralaid.org.au/mates-helping-mates   

For more information contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or at media@ruralaid.org.au  

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