Texas QLD farmers to receive 272 bales of hay
Four Rural Aid B-double trucks loaded 272 bales of hay are on their way to Texas, Queensland farmers
WHERE: Mingoola Road, Texas Queensland
WHO TO: 24 local farmers
DATE: Friday, 6 March 2020
TIME: 10am
CONTACT: Communication and Media – Raylee Huggett 0447 116 757
ON-SITE CONTACT: John Warlters – Rural Aid CEO – 0409 618 641
Neil Badcock – Director N Badcock Foundation – 0411 872 758
Jane McCollum – Rural Aid Counsellor – 0428 237 743
Four Rural Aid B-double trucks loaded with 272 bales of hay will roll into Texas on Friday, 6 March 2020, bringing relief to 24 local famers.
The Texas hay drop is thanks to the generosity of Neil Badcock and his N Badcock Foundation from the Sunshine Coast who has generously donated, overall, $100,000 to assist our Aussie farmers. Neil, a former farmer, started the N Badcock Foundation to help people in need.
Rural Aid’s Chief Executive Officer John Warlters thanked Mr Badcock and his Foundation for their generosity in supporting our Aussie farmers experiencing hardship caused by our natural disasters.
“It’s the support and generosity of everyday Aussies such as Neil, through the N Badcock Foundation, that enables Rural Aid to assist farmers and their communities as they experience hardship brought on by natural disasters such as drought, fire and floods,” John said.
“As we welcome this wonderful rain bringing relief to many on the land, we must remember that the country is still so dry and it will take long-term soaking rain to replenish soil moisture, dams and rivers to enable quality feed for livestock to grow again.
“Today, Neil’s foundation has ensured that 24 Texas farmers can continue to feed their livestock by giving them a hand-up of hay. I look forward to continuing this relationship with Neil, in whatever capacity he and his Foundation decides, to assist our Aussie farmers.”
Rural Aid Counsellor, Jane McCollum, will also be on-hand to speak to at the Rural Aid Texas hay drop.
The hay drop is being hosted by local farmer, Tim White who has a property in Texas which is being used for easier access for the other farmers to receive their hay.
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 Rural Aid’s Snapshots for the latest assistance statistics on how you, our donors, have helped our Aussie farmers and their communities.
Keep up to date on Rural Aid’s latest news on:
- Rural Aid: FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid | IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW: @ruralaidaust
- Buy a Bale: FB: @buyabaleofhay,| IG: @buyabale | @buyabale
GAYNDAH (QLD) READY FOR RURAL AID MAKEOVER
Restrictions lifted, Farm and Community Rescue Volunteers are on their way to Gayndah this month
With restrictions
lifted around 40 Rural Aid Farm
and Community Rescue Volunteers are on their way to Gayndah
from 26 July to 1 August to complete the Gayndah community renewal project.
The Farm and Community Rescue Volunteers will be in Gayndah to help the
community build their long-term sustainability and undertake a handful of farm
rescues – and Gayndah is ready.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Gayndah is the first of the Our Towns selected
in October last year to start their long-term renewal projects and programs.
“Rural Aid’s Community Support team’s excitement is palpable now we can get
back on the road. Last year, we experienced Gayndah’s vision of a ‘vibrant
friendly community where heritage, growth and lifestyle proudly combine’,
firsthand at the renewal workshops and we’re excited to be able to provide over
1,200 volunteer hours,” John Warlters said. “Farmers, council and community
members came together to formulate concepts and organise different town sectors
as part of preparatory activities with Rural Aid and Bank of IDEAS community
change and renewal expert, Peter Kenyon.”
“Around 40 Farm and Community Rescue Volunteers will spend a week in the town
working with the community, bringing Gayndah’s projects to fruition while also
bringing a welcoming financial injection and new friendships.”
The Gayndah community have identified the projects for the Farm and Community
Rescue Volunteers to work on over the week to help give the town a much-needed
start to their long-term renewal. These include the Gayndah Race Club, Gayndah
Swimming Pool, Gayndah Historical Village, Pioneer Place and Native Botanical
Gardens, Gayndah and Binjour Bowls Clubs, playground fencing and the Gayndah
Railway Station Complex.
The Our Towns Makeover initiative is Rural Aid’s way of supporting small rural
communities and highlighting the impact the drought is having on them. Monto
Queensland will be the next Our Town Makeover, scheduled for 30 August to 5
September 2020.
Evolution Mining and
Community Support
As soon as they were able to, Rural Aid’s Community Support team were on the
road towards the end of June delivering a whole lot of joy and fun with the
donation of musical instruments, stationery and Lego to eight schools in the
area. This was thanks to a generous donation from Evolution Mining to schools
around their Mt Rawdon and Cracow mining operations.
For more information on the Our Towns Makeover, go to www.ruralaid.org.au/10towns
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: 0424 203 935 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au
Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641
Rural Aid – FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid |IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW:
@ruralaidaust
Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale
About Gayndah
- Gayndah was established in 1848 and was in competition to become Queensland’s capital up against Ipswich and Brisbane.
- Gayndah held its first race meeting in the 1850s, held the first Queensland Derby in 1868 and ran the 150th Derby in 2018.
- Gayndah is home to just under 2000 (2016 Census) very community passionate people in Queensland’s South Burnett Region and is located 366 kilometres north of Brisbane and 145 kilometres west of Maryborough.
- Gayndah is the centre of Queensland’s largest citrus-growing area. Agriculture and grazing have also been dominant industries of the area, all of which have declined due to the ongoing drought.
- In the community’s words: “An enormously passionate community, we work closely together on virtually every venture, we have managed to “hold it” despite the weather – flood and drought.”
- Gayndah’s youth run a great number of its community organisations, with the quiet guidance of the elders.
About the Our Towns
Makeover
Over the next five years, 10 Our Towns will each receive $100,000 in projects
and support to renew their town. This includes $10,000 allocated for the
community to workshop with community change and renewal experts on their ideas
for their town’s long-term future and sustainability. The $90,000 will be
spent, over five years, on materials for maintenance projects identified by the
community, that fits within Rural Aid’s scope of work. If available, materials
and trade expertise will be sourced locally to support local businesses.
GAYNDAH QLD READY FOR RURAL AID’S 10 TOWNS MAKEOVER
Plans finalised and 60 Rural Aid Farm Army volunteers are on their way to Gayndah
The workshop is done, plans are completed and 60 Rural Aid Farm Army volunteers are on their way from around Australia to be in Gayndah from 22 to 28 March.
The Farm Army will be in Gayndah to help the community build their long-term sustainability – and Gayndah is ready!
Rural Aid Engaging Community Officer and Co-Founder, Tracy Alder said Gayndah is the first of the 10 towns selected in October last year to start their long-term renewal projects and programs.
“We experienced Gayndah’s vision of a ‘vibrant friendly community where heritage, growth and lifestyle proudly combine’, firsthand at their recent workshops,” Tracy said. “Farmers to council to community members came together, formulated concepts and organised different town sectors in preparation to work with us and Bank of IDEAS community change and renewal expert, Peter Kenyon.
“Our 60 Farm Army volunteers will spend a week in the town working with the community, bringing Gayndah’s projects to fruition while also bringing a welcoming financial injection and new friendships.
“As well as the 10 Towns Makeovers, additional funding has been made available for Rural Aid’s Farm Army to do four farm rescues in each of the areas,” Tracy added.
The Gayndah community have identified the projects for Rural Aid’s Farm Army to work on over the week to help give the town a much-needed start to their long-term renewal. These include, the Gayndah Race Club, Gayndah Swimming Pool, Gayndah Historical Village, Pioneer Place and Native Botanical Gardens, Gayndah and Binjour Bowls Clubs, playground fencing and the Gayndah Railway Station Complex.
Gayndah to be ‘invaded’ by another army.
The community won’t miss out. The Show Grounds will come alive on Wednesday night, 25 March as the Army Band – Brisbane rocks the town with traditional Big Band sounds through to funky arrangements of rock hits and Australian music.
Added to this, the Rural Aid Board will be in town on 25 and 26 March to experience the first of the 10 Towns Makeovers and for their March Board meeting. They will also be rocking it with the rest of Gayndah to Wednesday evening’s Australian Army Band – Brisbane entertainment.
The 10 Towns Makeover initiative is Rural Aid’s way of supporting small rural communities and highlighting the impact the drought is having on them
For more information on the 10 Towns Makeover, go to www.ruralaid.org.au/10towns
Media enquiries: – 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au
Media spokespersons:
- Rural Aid Engaging Community Officer and Co-Founder, Tracy Alder – 0413 618 561
- North Burnett Regional Councillor John Zahl from Gayndah – 0458 625 005
- Director and Founder Bank of I.D.E.A.S., Peter Kenyon – 0417 183 719
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:
- Rural Aid – FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid |IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW: @ruralaidaust
- Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale
Further Information:
About Gayndah
- Gayndah was established in 1848 and was in competition to become Queensland’s capital up against Ipswich and Brisbane.
- Gayndah held its first race meeting in the 1850s, held the first Queensland Derby in 1868 and ran the 150th Derby in 2018.
- Gayndah is home to just under 2000 (2016 Census) very community passionate people, is located in Queensland’s South Burnett Region and is located 366 kilometres north of Brisbane and 145 kilometres west of Maryborough.
- Gayndah is the centre of Queensland’s largest citrus-growing area. Agriculture and grazing have also been dominant industries of the area, all of which have declined due to the ongoing drought.
- In the community’s words: “An enormously passionate community, we work closely together on virtually every venture, we have managed to “hold it” despite the weather – flood and drought.
- Gayndah’s youth run a great number of its community organisations, with the quiet guidance of the elders.
About the 10 Towns Makeover
Over the next five years, each of the 10 Towns will receive $100,000 in projects and support to renew their town. This includes $10,000 allocated for the community to workshop with community change and renewal experts on their ideas for their town’s long-term future and sustainability. The $90,000 will be spent, over five years, on materials for maintenance projects identified by the community, that fits within Rural Aid’s scope of work. If available, materials and trade expertise will be sourced locally to support local businesses.
RURAL AID WELCOMES JOHN WARLTERS AS THE NEW CEO
Former Head of Agricultural Media with Nine/Australian Community Media heads Rural Aid
Rural Aid is pleased to announce and welcome former Head of Agriculture at Australian Community Media, John Warlters as the charity’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 26 February 2020.
John Warlters is a trusted and respected agribusiness leader, well-known through his previous role as Australian Community Media’s (ACM and previously Fairfax Media) Head of Agriculture.
Rural Aid Board Chair Alex Hutton said John Warlters was the standout leader from a wide field of excellent candidates for the role of CEO.
“John brings to Rural Aid key strengths of being a proven business manager and someone with a long history of engagement with all sectors of rural and regional Australia,” Alex said. “His empathy with primary producers and excellent relationships with the corporate sector will ensure that Rural Aid continues to have a strong capacity to meet its objective of supporting people in need due to the impact of current and future disasters.”
John previously managed ACM’s agricultural businesses, including iconic brands such as The Land, Queensland Country Life, Stock & Land, Stock Journal, Farm Weekly and the North Queensland Register, along with Australia’s largest agricultural field day, AgQuip and its “little sister” Farmfest.
He is especially well-known in rural and regional Queensland as a former editor and long-serving general manager of Queensland Country Life.
Throughout his media career, John and the businesses he managed were champions for primary producers and regional communities, celebrating and sharing their successes while also supporting and advocating for a “better deal for the bush” during the tough times.
John said joining Rural Aid was an opportunity to provide direct and immediate assistance to producers and communities impacted by natural disaster.
“It is an opportunity to make a real difference when people are in genuine need,” John said.
Rural Aid interim CEO Sarah Hunter stepped down from the caretaker role on Friday, 28 February and will continue as a Rural Aid Board Director. Sarah said it has been a privilege to guide the organisation through a transition to consolidation and strategic growth.
“From the beginning, the team was open to the change while never losing the strong sense of mission and purpose that is at the heart of Rural Aid,” Sarah said.
Rural Aid co-founders, Charles and Tracy Alder remain integral parts of Rural Aid.
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:
- Rural Aid – FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid |IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW: @ruralaidaust
- Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale
ENDS
Media:
0447
116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au