CONTRIBUTION OF CO-FOUNDERS ACKNOWLEDGED

CONTRIBUTION OF CO-FOUNDERS ACKNOWLEDGED

Co-founders Charles and Tracy Alder have tendered their resignations from Rural Aid and depart the charity on May 29.

Charles and Tracy founded Rural Aid in 2015 along with Sandra Walker, founding board director, who continues to be an integral part of the donor and Farm Army team today. 

After assisting with the transition of roles in recent months, Charles and Tracy have made the decision to depart Rural Aid to pursue other opportunities.

Rural Aid has grown to become one of Australia’s largest rural charities built on the success of the Buy a Bale campaign.

Rural Aid Chairman, Alex Hutton said that Charles and Tracy will always be recognised for their contribution to the foundation of the charity which is now assisting farmers and rural communities across Australia.

“On behalf of the Board and the Rural Aid team, we would like to extend our appreciation to Charles and Tracy and, wish them well for the future.” 

Charles and Tracy said they would like to acknowledge their continuing connection to rural Australia and thank those who have helped create Rural Aid, from hay suppliers to farmers, truckies, volunteers, donors – both corporate and individual – and especially the dedicated team who are passionate about delivering support to those suffering from fire, flood or drought and will continue to do so.

About Rural Aid 

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities. 

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics. 

Follow Rural Aid for updates on: 

Media: 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au 

FIRE IMPACTED NUMBLA VALE FARMERS RECEIVED HAY FOR LIVESTOCK

99 large bales of hay on the back of three trucks rolled into Numbla Vale NSW

Rural Aid delivered 99 large bales or 69 tonnes of hay on the back of three trailers to five drought and fire affected Numbla Vale NSW farming families, on Tuesday 19 May 2020.

The Numbla Vale hay drop, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, will assist local farming families struggling to feed livestock.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said this generous donation will go a long way to help make life a little easier for many of the farmers and their families in this fire impacted area. 

“Our farmers are going through challenging times,” John said. “They’ve been impacted by one of the longest droughts in recent history, followed by fires that have devasted the land, people, livestock and homes. Now they are dealing with the impact of current restrictions.

“Numbla Vale, about 55 kilometres south east of Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains region, has a large livestock industry and there were many news reports showing the devastation that the recent fires had on the area.

“Sadly, it’s not surprising that many farmers are contacting us for assistance, however it’s the generosity of organisations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that allows us, at Rural Aid, to continue to support our farmers and their families. 

“Transport continues to be an essential service during these current restrictions. By leveraging Rural Aid’s proven delivery model to support farmers to feed their livestock and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to deliver a further 11 trailers of donated hay to 25 farmers at five NSW locations, including another delivery to Numbla Vale and two to Dalgety.”  

Date Location Farmers Large bales of hay
22 May 2020 Berridale 7 99
28 May 2020 Dalgety 5 70
28 May 2020 Dalgety (another delivery) 4 70
29 May2020 Old Adaminaby 4 70
29 May 2020 Numbla Vale 5 70

Rural Aid also acknowledges and thanks the Rural Assistance Authority of NSW for their generous rebates on transport of the donated hay to farmers in the drought areas of NSW.

Impact of fire and drought in NSW

Livestock loss across NSW as a result of the fires exceeded 13,000 with over 16,000 landholders estimated to have been impacted by the fires. Southern NSW had the greatest losses with more than 12,000 head of livestock dying as a result of the fires¹. As of 28 January 2020, the fires in NSW had burnt 5.3 million hectares or 6.7% of the State².

Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology noted in the Events section of its Annual Climate Statement 2019, published on 9 January 2020, that, ‘The extensive and long-lived fires appear to be the largest in scale in the modern record in New South Wales, while the total area burnt appears to be the largest in a single recorded fire season for eastern Australia’³.

  • Warmest year on record for Australia – mean temperature 1.52 °C above average
  • Warmest year on record for New South Wales and Western Australia
  • Annual total rainfall 40% below average with much of Australia affected by drought

¹Sourced from NSW Department of Primary Industries  

²Sourced from Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library

³Sourced from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

Media Contact: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

RURAL AID DELIVERS WATER TANKS TO FIRE IMPACTED COBARGO

207 residents will each receive a 1000 litre water tank

Rural Aid is trucking in 207 water tanks to Bega Valley Shire residents to assist the community with their recovery from the devastating bushfires that swept through the area on New Year’s Eve.

The 1000 litre Schutz IBC water tanks, funded from a News Corporation donation to Rural Aid, will be delivered to the Cobargo Show Grounds, on Thursday 21 May 2020, for distribution to 207 verified, aid registered farmers and community members.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said we’re hopeful that this generous donation will help make life a little easier for families in the Cobargo region who lost so much to fire. We’re also resoundingly grateful for the support of the Cobargo Bush Fire Relief Centre who have helped make this logistically possible.

“The Bega Valley Shire, on the New South Wales south coast, was one of the worst fire affected communities when fire swept through and devastated the region in December 2019 and January 2020,” John said.

“Our farmers and their communities are going through challenging times. The community have been impacted by one of the longest droughts in recent history, followed by fires that have devastated the land, people, livestock and homes. Now they are dealing with the impact of current restrictions during recovery as they attempt to rebuild.

“Many of the residents in the area, some over an hour away, are making daily trips to the Cobargo Showgrounds to shower, obtain water from the Council’s standpipes and buy bottled drinking water.

“With the weather growing colder as winter approaches, we’re hopeful the 1000 litre water tanks will make life a little easier for these communities. Having access to drinking water on their properties will facilitate cooking, bathing or simply starting the day with a cuppa.

“We’re proud to be able to assist farmers and the Bega Valley community in any way we can. Along the New South Wales south coast, we’ve also been able to support farmers through the provision of hay, restocking and on the ground counselling.”

Rural Aid’s continuing support

Just like any other business through this COVID period, the Rural Aid team is pivoting and finding ways to navigate restrictions to continue to deliver on the ground for farmers and rural communities.

“We’re obviously able to achieve this under slightly reduced capacity, but thanks to our operations team, we’re continuing to deliver much needed support,” John said.

“We’re recognising a greater need for our services than ever before and have found unique ways to stay connected with rural communities via our counsellors through phone calls and online webinars including our Community Builders Webinars Series.

“Of course, our volunteers are currently sitting tight and we hope that they will be back helping our farmers and rural communities over the coming months.

“I would also like to take this moment to say thank you to our supporters, many of whom have been impacted recently too, but who continue to recognise the level of resilience and fortitude our farmers display.

“Whether through a simple act of kindness in writing a letter of support to a farmer, purchasing Aussie produce or through a donation – we, at Rural Aid, thank you and are grateful for your ongoing support.”

Cobargo Water Tank Delivery Information:

When:   7am Thursday 21 May 2020

Where: Cobargo Showground, Bermagui Road, Cobargo NSW 2550

Media: 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

On Site Contact: Rural Aid Business Development Manager – NSW Craig Marsh | 0427 976 294

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/towns/webinars/ to be part of the Rural Aid Community Builders Webinars Series.

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

ENDS

Impact of NSW fires

Livestock loss across NSW as a result of the fires exceeded 13,000 with over 16,000 landholders estimated to have been impacted by the fires. Southern NSW had the greatest losses with more than 12,000 head of livestock dying as a result of the fires¹. As of 28 January 2020, the fires in NSW had burnt 5.3 million hectares or 6.7% of the State².

Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology noted in the Events section of its Annual Climate Statement 2019, published on 9 January 2020, that, ‘The extensive and long-lived fires appear to be the largest in scale in the modern record in New South Wales, while the total area burnt appears to be the largest in a single recorded fire season for eastern Australia’³.

  • Warmest year on record for Australia – mean temperature 1.52 °C above average
  • Warmest year on record for New South Wales and Western Australia
  • Annual total rainfall 40% below average with much of Australia affected by drought

¹Sourced from NSW Department of Primary Industries  

²Sourced from Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library ³Sourced from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)

RURAL AID PARTNERS TO DELIVER SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR RURAL CHILDREN

Using technology to support rural children with life-changing education opportunities

Children in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region will, from today, gain access to laptops as part of Rural Aid’s support of rural schools and their students.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said, Rural Aid will support nine schools in the Upper Hunter area of New South Wales through the provision of 203 laptops devices for their students to access remote learning resources.

“For many families, particularly those in rural and remote communities, gaining access to suitable technology, at speed, is required to enable remote learning,” John Warlters said. “Rural Aid is working directly with the Education Departments in New South Wales and Queensland to roll out technology support to more schools and students.

“With the challenges brought on now by COVID-19, adding to the impact of drought and fire for many of these farmers, these laptops will help rural families access much needed resources to educate their children from home and when they are back in the classroom.

School quotes

“Thank you so much, this is just truly amazing.” – John Ireland, Principal Quirindi Public School.

“There is not too much I can say really except: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. – Ian Worley, Principal, Quirindi High School.

“Absolutely amazing!” – Jane McKenzie, Principal, Willow Tree Public School.

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Media: 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

Images: Please contact media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au or call 0447 116 757 for images.

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale

FIRE IMPACTED BEGA FARMERS RECEIVE MUCH NEEDED HAY FOR LIVESTOCK

52 tonnes of hay to roll into Bega

Rural Aid are delivering 74 large bales of hay to five drought and fire affected Bega NSW farming families.

The Bega hay drop, funded from a $100,000 donation to Rural Aid, will assist local farming families struggling to feed livestock.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said this generous donation will go a long way to help make life a little easier for many of the farmers and their families. 

“Our farmers are going through challenging times,” John said. “They’ve been impacted by one of the longest droughts in recent history, followed by fires that have devasted the land, people, livestock and homes. Now they are dealing with the impact of current restrictions.

“Bega has a large dairy industry, its name synonymous with cheese, and there were many news reports showing the devastation that the recent fires had on the area, in particular the region’s dairy industry that including loss of pasture, fences and cows.

Livestock loss across NSW as a result of the fires exceeded 13,000 with over 16,000 landholders estimated to have been impacted by the fires. Southern NSW had the greatest losses with more than 12,000 head of livestock dying as a result of the fires¹. As of 28 January 2020, the fires in NSW had burnt 5.3 million hectares or 6.7% of the State².

The generosity of this donor has also allowed Rural Aid to deliver hay to other farmers in NSW fire impacted areas.

“Transport continues to be an essential service during these current restrictions and since the 16 April 2020, trucks loaded with 12 trailers of donated hay, were also delivered to 38 farmers at six other NSW locations by leveraging Rural Aid’s proven delivery model, ensuring farmers could feed their livestock.”

Date Location Farmers Large bales of hay
16 April 2020 Braidwood 9 66
27 April 2020 Coolagolite 5 66
28 April 2020 Cobargo 5 66
29 April 2020 Wandella 8 66
5 May 2020 Verona 6 74
6 May 2020 Quaama 5 74

Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology noted in the Events section of its Annual Climate Statement 2019, published on 9 January 2020, that, ‘The extensive and long-lived fires appear to be the largest in scale in the modern record in New South Wales, while the total area burnt appears to be the largest in a single recorded fire season for eastern Australia’³.

  • Warmest year on record for Australia – mean temperature 1.52 °C above average
  • Warmest year on record for New South Wales and Western Australia
  • Annual total rainfall 40% below average with much of Australia affected by drought

“Sadly, it’s not surprising that many farmers are contacting us for assistance, however it’s the generosity of organisations that allows us, at Rural Aid, to continue to support our farmers and their families.” 

Bega Hay Drop Delivery Information:

When:  11am Tuesday 12 May 2020

Where: 826 Angledale Road, Bega NSW 2550

¹Sourced from NSW Department of Primary Industries  

²Sourced from Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library

³Sourced from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Media: 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

On Site Contact: Rural Aid Business Development Manager – NSW Craig Marsh | 0427 976 294

Follow Rural Aid for updates on: