Rural Aid’s annual fundraising concert is 48 hours away, and a swathe of celebrities have been sending messages of solidarity, calling on Australians to get behind the event. 

CEO John Warlters said singers through to sporting stars have been voicing their support for the importance of farming and raising awareness for the challenges farmers face on the land. 

“It’s been quite humbling to see the reverence these leaders and populars personalities have for rural Australia. We hope the nation will get behind this great lineup of singers and musicians and help us raise funds for farmers in need and communities that deserve stronger futures,” Mr Warlters said.

“Everyone from Jimmy Barnes to Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Vera Blue, Kate Ceberano, Natalie Bassingthwiate, Dami Im, Casey Donovan, Isaiah Firebrace, Chris Sebastian and many more have been so passionate about supporting farmers after a year of floods, bushfires and devastating ongoing drought,” Mr Warlters said.

Australian professional beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook OAM sent a video to all Australians this week.

“Farmers and those on the land who grow our food have had to deal with fire, drought, flood over the past few years, and of course now covid 19. And whilst they’ve battled to stay the course to get food to our plates, it’s been tough… I invite you to join me in supporting Rural Aid and our farmers so we can keep getting food to our plates,” she said.

Former Wallaby Tim Horan sent a message of support saying, “As we all know many of the farmers and families in rural and regional Australia who grow our food have endured some pretty tough times with drought and more recently Covid. Rural Aid will be raising funds with their concert and all funds raised on this national television event will go towards assisting our farmers into the future…”.

Channel Nine’s Allison Langon, who will host the concert, shared her experiences as a child on the land.

“I grew up on a farm and I know the feeling when the dams are empty and paddocks are brown, that’s why Rural Aid is there. I mean, last year $28 million is what they spent helping farmers… and more than 15,000 of them. Whether farmers need counselling, water, hay, whatever farmers need they’re there. And they need your support,” she said.

The concert airs 7.30pm Saturday night on Channel Nine. You can donate at goodonyamate.org.au
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With Rural Aid’s national concert only days away, the organisation says the support of singers, musicians and songwriters has been overwhelming. 

Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters, said performers have been incredibly generous in their support of the event.

“Everyone from Jimmy Barnes to Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Vera Blue, Kate Ceberano, Natalie Bassingthwiate, Dami Im, Casey Donovan, Isaiah Firebrace, Chris Sebastian and many more have been so passionate about supporting farmers after a year of floods, bushfires and devastating ongoing drought,” Mr Warlters said. 

Two artists were so moved by the initiative, they wrote a song.  

“When Lee Kernaghan and Mick Lindsay heard that we were planning a fundraising concert in November to help farmers through the many challenges that form part of life of the land, they sat down and wrote “Good Onya Mate” – which is also the title of our concert.” Queensland country music star Mick Lindsay’s first three chart topping singles have clocked up 4 million streams and were played by over 450 stations across the country. Rural Aid is hoping the new track, “Good Onya Mate” to be launched at the concert, will be just as successful. “It’s an amazing feeling to contribute to such an Important cause and I hope my contribution inspires others, whether that be donating time, money or resources to Aussies in need,” Mick Lindsay said.  “Aussies helping Aussies has always been the backbone of this nation – this song is about mateship and how that has always been the Australian way.” 

Excerpt: Good Onya Mate
We never saw it coming
Never thought we’d see this day
Seems like all at once
Been a long haul
Backs to the wall
It was touch and go for a while
Good onya mate 
Seeing it through
Lending a hand 
We can always count on you
When times are tough
And the pressures on
You don’t give up
You don’t give in

“The lyrics of this song could resonate in many different ways and I hope Australian can relate it to an experience they have faced or are facing. Never be too proud to accept a hand up and always remember to look back and lend a hand to the next person along,” Mr Lindsay said.  

The funds raised on Saturday night will go towards the Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures program. 

“This is our plan to enable resilient and sustainable rural communities to thrive into the future,” Mr Warlters said. 

“The money will underpin our rural counselling services because one conversation at the right time, with the right person, can change everything. It will allow Rural Aid to continue its community building – to work with towns to bring their renewal projects to life.” 

Nine television personalities Richard Wilkins, Allison Langdon, Brooke Boney and Alex Cullen will host the concert from Bella Vista Farm in Sydney. To donate go to www.goodonyamate.org.au or call 1300 327 624.
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Contact Mick Lindsay via Rikki-Lee 0428 429 905

Good Onya Mate concert 1 week away.

With the Good Onya Mate concert a week away, Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson, The Ringer, has issued his top 10 rules for dressing like a farmer. 

“We want all Australians to dress like a farmer and really get in the spirit for Rural Aid’s annual fundraising concert. This year, the concert is called Good Onya Mate and features the likes of Jimmy Barnes. You can all tune in from 7.30pm on Saturday 28 November on Channel 9,” The Ringer said from his paddock in central Queensland.

His advice for all Australians wanting to get involved with farmer fancy dress on the night is as follows. 

1. A big, big hat: Aussie agriculture is one of the most sun-smart industries in the country. Wear the biggest broad-brimmed hat you can find, even if it says “Bunnings” on the band. 
2. No ironing needed: That’s not to say farmers don’t care for their appearance, but when you’re heading out to a paddock, you generally don’t have time to “press and starch” the work wear. 
3. Footwear to boot: A sturdy pair of leather boots will make you look the part. No need to polish them up. In fact, if they are a bit too shiny, maybe slip them on and go for a walk in the dirt. 
4. Goodbye tie: Farmers don’t often wear ties, except maybe to a campdraft, wedding, awards ceremony or a Young Nationals Convention. They just aren’t practical and have a tendency to get caught in bench grinders. 
5. Buckle up… within reason: When it comes to belt buckles, keep them reasonable, unless you’ve won a national rodeo championship. Some folk are basically walking around with a car bonnet below their stomachs and it’s a bit much.
6. Watch the time: A watch can be handy in the bush to know when it’s time for smoko, arvo tea, supper and all the other meals in between. Feel free to wear one of those fitness trackers but bear in mind you’ll need to do about nine million steps to achieve your Farmer Badge. 
7. Check the shirt: Sure, a lot of graziers choose plaid or checkered long-sleeve shirts (again, providing good sun protection) but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Neutral, earthy colours go well. Feel free to roll the sleeves up to the elbows.
8. Slacks and dacks: Generally jeans or moleskins are the go-to attire for farmers when it comes to pants, maybe footy shirts if they’re in holiday mode. Jeggings, tracksuit pants, lycra and metallic fabric short shorts should be avoided. Stubbies or Ruggers are acceptable.
9. Wear the style: It’s one thing to pull on some clothes; it’s another to embody a farmer. Visualise yourself as the owner of a 30,000 tree-orchard or a million acre cattle property, and embrace the look. It may help to lean on something while you’re having a yarn, or hook your thumbs into your jean pockets, and slouch.
10. Work with what you’ve got: Don’t have a pair of RMs? Pull on some gumboots and you’re a dairy farmer. Or forego the footwear entirely and say you’re a sugar cane grower from Queensland. Being a farmer is about adapting to the conditions – go with what’s on hand.

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Official spokesperson, CEO John Warlters 0409618641
Unofficial spokesperson, The Ringer 0407652149
Media contact, Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935 media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

How to host a Good Onya Mate party at home next Saturday

Rural Aid’s annual fundraising concert is a week away, so Australians are being encouraged to host a Good Onya Mate gathering complete with farm inspired games, food, and fancy dress. 

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters said no matter where they live, Australians can help Rural Aid raise much-needed funds for Aussie farming families coping with the effects of Australia’s record-breaking drought and recent bushfires by hosting a Celebrate Good Onya Mate party. 

“It’s easy to get started – just borrow some of our ideas, gather your friends, family, and neighbours together, and tune into Channel 9 from 7.30pm on 28 November,” Mr Warlters said.

The organisation invites everyone to don a big hat, boots and a belt buckle on the night, using the hashtag #CelebrateGoodOnyaMate to have posts featured on Rural Aid’s live social media gallery. 

Farm-themed snacks including cow pat brownies and piggies in a blanket are ideal menu items. Recipes can be found at goodonyamate.org.au/celebrate/

The spotify playlist helps prepare for the concert line-up. 

“We encourage all party hosts to do an ‘Akubra pass-around’ for donations. Just $20 is enough to buy a bale of hay for a farmer’s livestock that are struggling to survive the drought.”

 The website goodonyamate.org.au/celebrate/ includes games such as concert bingo and a Jimmy Barnes quiz, decorations and donation links.

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