Category: News

HOW TO YARN LIKE A FARMER

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Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson, The Ringer, advises city-based Australians on how to speak in the bush.

One of Australia’s largest rural charities, Rural Aid, is asking all Australians to dress like a farmer for the national “Good Onya Mate” fundraising concert scheduled for 28 November.

Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson for the event, known as The Ringer, held a press conference today to advise Australians on how to talk like a farmer for the event.

https://youtu.be/jKB0LtAmnck

“A good place to start for first-timers trying to talk like the rest of us over the otherside of the Great Divide is to say: good onya mate. You’ll notice we don’t say you… unless we’re talking about buying a single female sheep… a ewe, ya know?” The Ringer says from his paddock in central Queensland.

“In that case you’d go: G’day Bruce, how’s the ewe ya bought?”

The charity encourages Australians to post a photo of their outfits with the hashtag #goodonyamate as a message of solidarity to farmers across the country.

CEO of Rural Aid John Warlters says the funds raised from the concert will go towards the charity’s new Stronger Futures program, dedicated to helping farmers develop strong and sustainable futures for their families and local communities.

“Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures initiatives include our Farm Army. That’s thousands of Farm Army volunteers give their time to help rural communities rebuild and repair following natural disasters. Farm Army volunteers make a real difference in rural areas and are also recruited for specific Rural Aid community projects,” Mr Warlters said.

“We’ll also revitalise towns through the Our Towns community renewal program. In drought-affected areas, community facilities often become rundown as scarce funds are prioritised for the necessities of life. The Rural Aid team works with key stakeholders in country towns to identify much-needed rebuilding and bring community makeover projects to life.”

“Importantly, the money raised will underpin our rural counselling services because one conversation at the right time, with the right person, can change everything. Rural Aid employs qualified, nationally registered counsellors to provide mental wellbeing support services to help build emotional resilience in farmers and farming families; aiming to reduce stress, depression and suicide in rural areas,” Mr Warlters concluded.

To help Australians authentically dress like a farmer for the Good Onya Mate concert, Rural Aid has appointed The Ringer from Queensland to explain how it’s done. He held a press conference today on how to speak like a farmer.

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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

Top ten rules for dressing like a farmer

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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

Boots, belt-buckles and big hats

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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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HATS OFF TO FARMERS

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Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson, The Ringer, advises Australians on how to dress like a farmer.

One of Australia’s largest rural charities, Rural Aid, is asking all Australians to dress like a farmer for the national “Good Onya Mate” fundraising concert scheduled for 28 November.

Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson for the event, known as The Ringer, held a press conference today to advise Australians on appropriate headwear for the event.

https://youtu.be/8x3VV3Q5sMw
The Ringer helps Australians dress like a farmer for the Good Onya Mate concert.

“You want to make sure you’re not wearing your country hat awkwardly like a city politician on a farm visit,” The Ringer says from his paddock in central Queensland.

“Brim size is all important, and don’t go putting a feather in your cap – no one in the bush will take you seriously.” 

The charity encourages Australians to post a photo of their outfits with the hashtag #goodonyamate as a message of solidarity to farmers across the country.

“While I’ve got your attention. Let me blow your mind with a few stats. In the last financial year Rural Aid provided more than $28 million in financial assistance to almost 5,000 farmers, including more than 20,000 pre-paid gift cards. We travelled across rural Australia to ensure more than $11 million in fodder and hay totalling over 50,000-plus large bales, almost 3,000 water deliveries  valued at more than $1 million were delivered and some 1,300 farmer counselling sessions were provided.”
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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

PUT YOUR BEST BOOT FORWARD

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Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson, The Ringer, advises Australians on how to dress like a farmer.

https://youtu.be/48JGkC5Y7wg

One of Australia’s largest rural charities, Rural Aid, is asking all Australians to dress like a farmer for the national “Good Onya Mate” fundraising concert scheduled for 28 November.

Rural Aid’s unofficial spokesperson for the event, known as The Ringer, held a press conference today to advise Australians on appropriate footwear for the event.

“If you’re going to get involved in this bloody spectacular event in a few weeks, you’ll need to put your best boot forward,” The Ringer says from his paddock in central Queensland.

“The trusty RM William is suitable for those dressing as well-heeled wool growers down south, gumboots are fine for dairy farmers, the square-toed boot is best for cattle producers… but I must reiterate, ugg boots are a no go.” 

The charity encourages Australians to post a photo of their outfits with the hashtag #goodonyamate as a message of solidarity to farmers across the country.

The nationally broadcast concert is set to be a star-studded event with local and international stars banding together to say Good Onya Mate to our farmers who have survived through drought, bushfire, flood and covid this year. 

Rural Aid  has more than 14,000 farmers registered for assistance and receives new registrations daily. Rural Aid has distributed over $28 million in aid in the last year. Rural Aid is known as a rapid responder in the face of natural disaster, supporting our farmers from emergency to recovery. 

“Rural Aid is building stronger futures for farmers, their families and the communities they call home,” The Ringer concluded

To help Australians authentically dress like a farmer, Rural Aid has appointed The Ringer from Queensland to explain how it’s done. He held a press conference today on appropriate footwear.
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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