RURAL AID LAUNCHES $25M DISASTER RECOVERY APPEAL TO ASSIST FARMERS

Posted on 14 January 202031 October 2023

Around 10,000 farmers and their 10 million farm animals in fire affected areas*

Today, Rural Aid launched a $25 million Disaster Recovery Appeal to assist over 10,000 farmers and over 10 million of their farm animals in fire affected zones.

Rural Aid Co-Founder, Charles Alder said Rural Aid has started hay deliveries in north east Victoria and southern NSW and is asking Australians to assist our farmers who have experienced unprecedented hardship from drought and now catastrophic fires.

“Over the past 18 months, Rural Aid has distributed $45 million in assistance to farmers and their communities, and we will continue to leverage its proven delivery model for drought and now fire affected farmers,” Charles Alder said.

“In addition, Rural Aid has committed over $10 million to drought affected farmers, including the proceeds of the recent Hay Mate concert.

Over the past weeks, Australians have come out in support and generously given to assist fire affected southern NSW and eastern Victoria.

However, once the smoke clears and the ‘Firies’ drive away, Rural Aid arrives to step in and help farmers transition from emergency response to a period of recovery.

“The $25 million Disaster Recovery Appeal will help Rural Aid expand its support offerings to farmers in affected fire zones,” Charles Alder said.

“Rural Aid will also assist with domestic water deliveries, financial assistance (Visa Country Cards) and access to counselling. Many farmers spend their Visa Country Cards in their communities, supporting local economies.”

To help us to continue to deliver this much needed aid to our farmers, support Rural Aid’s ‘Buy a Bale’ program by donating at www.buyabale.com.au/donate.

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.

*Data referenced from NSW Department of Primary Industries and Agriculture Victoria.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

Media spokespeople:

Rural Aid Co-Founder, Charles Alder – 0410 714 379

Rural Aid Interim CEO, Sarah Hunter – 0421 943 683

Rural Aid National Business Development Manager, Wayne Thomson – 0476 647 281

Quick Stats:

• In 2018 – 2019, Rural Aid delivered $31.6 million in assistance to farmers and their rural communities.
• From July to December 2019, Rural aid delivered $14 million in assistance to farmers and their rural communities.
• Over November and December 2019, more than 2000 farmers registered with Rural Aid.
• Rural Aid has over 12,000 farmers registered for assistance.
• In the recent Christmas and New Year period, Rural Aid delivered over 12,000 gift cards to farmers.
• Between July and December 2019, Rural Aid delivered 372 truck loads of hay and 2094 water deliveries to farmers.

OVER 12,000 FARMERS START RECEIVING GIFT CARDS OVER CHRISTMAS

Posted on 20 December 201931 October 2023

Over 12,000 farmers registered with Rural Aid will receive pre-paid gift cards, valued at $4.25 million, for Christmas and into January thanks to the generosity of everyday Australians and Rural Aid’s corporate donors.

Rural Aid National Business Development Manager Wayne Thomson said over 12,000 farmers are now registered with Rural Aid for assistance. “Since mid-November, we have been sending out the gift cards and they will go a long way to help make life a little easier for many of our farmers and their families over the Christmas period,” Wayne Thomson said.

“Many of the gift cards will be spent in the farmers’ local communities which will also support local businesses and local economies. It’s also a wonderful way of saying to our farmers and their communities that you are not forgotten, that we are here to support you.”

Wayne Thomson said that Glencore’s coal business in partnership with Rural Aid has provided 5800 farming families in New South Wales and Queensland affected by drought with a $300 gift card and a gift pack each for Christmas this year. “Glencore made the $1.7 million donation on behalf of their 5800 staff employed in Glencore’s coal business to farmers in Glencore’s coal business regions,” Wayne Thomson said.

“It’s also thanks to the generosity of everyday Aussies that Rural Aid has sent $500 gift cards to 2000 farmers and a further $300 gift cards to 3500 farmers. In October, the Allora community held a rockabilly high tea to raise funds for the local farmers. This small community, situated between Toowoomba and Warwick in Queensland, also has major water restrictions, but raised $6000 that went towards pre-paid gift cards valued at $300 or $500 to 43 farmers.

“Added to this, half a million dollars will also be spent immediately on $500 gift cards to 1000 farmers from donations received at the recent Hay Mate: A Bush Christmas Appeal. Farmers will start receiving these cards from mid-January 2020.”

Wayne Thomson explained that the number of farmers registering for assistance with Rural Aid in November was the highest monthly total on record at over 1100 farmers.

“However, December has already seen that record broken with 1130 farmers registering for support as at 18 December. In December 2018 we had 66 farmers register for assistance.

“These new figures are extremely disturbing,” Wayne Thomson said. “Normally we would see an average of 400 new farmer registrations each month, but over the past two months the number has more than doubled.”

“We believe these numbers are not only an indication of the worsening drought but the impact that the recent bushfires have had on many properties.

“Farmers have had to reduce their stock numbers and then hand feed the stock they have left – which for many is their breeding stock. Some farmers have de-stocked completely so have no income coming in. It is not surprising they are contacting us for fodder and financial assistance.”

Santa’s helpers at Rural Aid

In the last quarter of the year, Rural Aid invited schools and community groups to send Christmas cards and messages to farmers and their families. The response and glitter were incredible:

• Over 700 schools and community groups sent in over 38,000 cards and letters. 
• Over 198 volunteers, including corporate volunteers, were involved in mailing out Christmas cards and letters to almost 11,000 farmers and their families.
• Farmers received more than one card and letter. The amount of laughter, the occasional tear and glitter were immeasurable as the cards and letters were opened and read.

Messages of thanks from farming families

Merino Farmer, Mitchell QLD:

This morning we have received a gift card in the mail. We would like to thank you so very much for your generosity, it really does mean a lot to both myself and my husband in this dreadful drought.  We are officially in our 7th year now. This gift card was totally unexpected and will be such a help to us.  We wish your entire organisation a very happy Christmas and every happiness for 2020 with a good drenching of rain for everyone.

Cattle Farmer, Marlee NSW:

I just want to say thank you so much for the generous donation of a gift card we received today from your organisation and Glencore (to whom I have also sent thanks). It will help us greatly during this trying time. Thank you.

Farmer, Sapphire NSW

I would like to thank the special children who sent us a handmade Christmas card today. It was heart felt and my husband and myself had tears in our eyes as we read their sincere thoughts. So even though times are tough, we would like to say thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for caring about farmers you don’t know, but support you everyday!

Farmer, Glenn Davis NSW

I would just like to thank the kind children who wrote to us and we appreciate their kind words in these tough times. Fires drought and no rain takes its toll on many in our state. As a firefighter on the Gosper Mountain six weeks now, we wonder when it will end – feeding cattle and poor air quality day after day, this also keeps us from our jobs. So, thank you to those children who sent their best wishes. Our love to them all.

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 enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

Media interviews: Wayne Thomson – 0476 647 281

HAY MATE APPEAL RAISES $4.6 MILLION FOR FARMERS

Posted on 17 December 201931 October 2023

Nine’s Hay Mate: A Bush Christmas Appeal concert has raised an astonishing total of $4.6 million for farmers suffering through the devastating drought and bushfires.

All proceeds are going to Rural Aid, one of Australia’s leading rural charities.

With the funds raised, Rural Aid is organising an immediate hay drop to drought and bushfire-affected farmers in the Taree area on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Half a million dollars will also be spent immediately on $500 gift cards for 1,000 farmers to help with the purchase of groceries in time for Christmas.

Aussie rock legends lent their support to our farmers, headlining the Hay Mate: A Bush Christmas Appealconcert at Mornington Racecourse in Victoria. Music legend John Farnham led an all-star lineup that performed into the night.

Vanessa Amorosi opened the concert with Have A Look and a Slim Dusty classic. Daryl Braithwaite worked the crowd as they joined in on his hit Horses, and they backed it up by singing along with John Williamson on True Blue. Everyone was on their feet as Jon Stevens performed a medley of INXS and Noiseworks hits, and John Farnham closed the show with his signature song, You’re the Voice, and an encore of AC/DC’s Long Way to the Top.

Concert-goers and viewers were also treated to performances by The Black Sorrows with Vika and Linda, All Our Exes Live in Texas, Tim Wheatley and Little Georgia.

Nine was right behind the farmers cause in a three-and half-hour broadcast that captured all the excitement from the concert, while hosts Richard Wilkins and Rebecca Maddern chatted to the performers and some of Australia’s biggest names in entertainment manned the phones to take donations from the public.

Wayne Thomson, National Business Development Manager with Rural Aid, praised Nine for again showing its amazing commitment to supporting our farmers and their families.

“Hay Mate has been an unbelievable success and we can’t thank Channel Nine enough for televising the concert and Glenn Wheatley for organising it, he has worked tirelessly,” Mr Thomson said.

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 “We would also like to thank the public and corporate Australia for their incredible support. Rest assured, the money raised will provide much needed relief to farming families across drought-affected regions in the form of hay for livestock and financial assistance to pay bills and buy food.”

Event curator and organiser of Hay Mate, Glenn Wheatley, said: “I am beyond pleased with the result from Hay Mate. With the help of Rural Aid we can commence distribution of hay and water immediately to the farmers most in need. The generosity of all the Australians who donated is very touching.

“The generosity of all the artists who performed and donated their time is also touching. We will be able to make it a happier Christmas for many farmers because of Hay Mate.”

Along with the generosity of the public, corporate supporters dug deep for the farmers, with a special mention to these donors:

• Morgans:         $1.2 million
• Holdmark:       $750,000
• CBA:               $500,000
• BPAY:             $100,000
• Tomra:            $100,000

The Hay Mate concerts in 2018 and 2019 have raised over $7.5 million for Rural Aid, helping Australian farmers by providing hay and water and financial assistance.

You can still donate at www.haymate.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

For further information please contact:

Nine Publicity

Clare Gibbons

03 9420 3466

SYDNEY’S NEW LIGHT RAIL LAUNCH WEEKEND SUPPORTING DROUGHT AND FIRE AFFECTED FARMERS

Posted on 12 December 201931 October 2023

This weekend, as the CBD and South East Light Rail opens to the public between Circular Quay and Randwick, Rural Aid is partnering with Transport for NSW to urge Sydney commuters to support their rural neighbours.

The opening weekend, 14^th and 15^th December, of the new Sydney light rail services will be fare-free and a large number of customers are expected to try the new service. Volunteers will be collecting donations for Rural Aid at the Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Chalmers Street light rail stops to support NSW farming families. Funds raised will go towards supplying NSW farmers with hay, fresh drinking water and financial assistance.

With over 11,500 farmers registered with Rural Aid, and more than half of them located in NSW, the charity is being inundated with requests for help from farmers across the state who have run out of water, and lost pasture in recent bushfires. The tragic bushfires, as well as 100% of NSW being drought declared, has meant a big increase in farmers putting their hands up to ask for help. In November, the charity had over 1100 farmers register for aid.

Wayne Thomson, Rural Aid National Business Development Manager, said that it’s getting closer to the time when farmers have to make the life-changing decisions on what stock to keep and for some, whether or not to walk away from their farm.

“A lot of farmers have talked about January being the line in the ground and they’re more willing to put their hands up to ask for help. They are turning to us to stretch out an existence for as long as they can, hoping it will get them through to the end of what is a record breaking drought and added to this, the Bureau of Meteorology declaring Spring 2019 as the driest on record,” Wayne Thomson said.

“The well-anticipated launch of the new light rail presents a fantastic opportunity for Sydney commuters to support farmers suffering current drought and bushfire conditions on the land, and show their rural cousins that they care. We are very grateful to Transport for NSW for inviting us to be part of such a big milestone moment for the city and look forward to meeting hundreds of thousands Sydneysiders during the launch weekend.”

Over 100 Transport for NSW staff are volunteering their time during the launch weekend to collect funds for NSW farmers. They will be stationed at Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Chalmers Street light rail stops, equipped with ‘Tap & Go’ EFTPOS machines. Commuters will be encouraged to make a donations using credit card, PayPal or ‘Apple Pay’, or by donating online at www.ruralaid.org.au.

Minister for Transport Andrew Constance encouraged those intending on riding a tram to make a donation.

“This is a fare-free weekend so please give what you can to support NSW farmers,” Minister Constance said.

“While opening this new public transport service is exciting for the city we know drought and fires have made life tough for those in those in the bush, this is a good opportunity to get behind the communities impacted.”

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.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

A $1.7M Christmas Gift for 5,800 Farming Families

Posted on 12 December 201931 October 2023

Glencore’s coal business in partnership with RuralAid will provide farming families in New South Wales and Queensland affected by drought with IGA gift vouchers for Christmas this year.

Like most Australians we are incredibly proud of the contribution farmers and their families make to our country. We also recognise people in rural communities are doing it tough this year because of the drought.

Glencore’s coal business has around 5,800 employees working across New South Wales and Queensland.  On behalf of each coal employee we will be providing a $300 IGA gift voucher for groceries to 5,800 farming families affected by the drought.  As each of our coal employees celebrate Christmas with their families, this A$1.7M for gift vouchers will allow rural families to celebrate with their own family.

Ian Cribb, Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s Australian coal business said that he hoped this gift in some small way helped farmers and their families have a more enjoyable Christmas.

Glencore has been pleased to work in partnership with IGA and RuralAid, one of Australia’s largest rural assistance organisations.

Wayne Thomson, Rural Aid National Business Development Manager said the gift from Glencore would bring some welcome Christmas cheer to a number of families in rural and regional areas. 

“Many of us living in a thriving city environment can find it difficult to comprehend the extent of the drought,” Wayne Thomson said.

“The realities of the harsh Australian conditions and natural disasters are devastating for our farmers and rural communities on many levels. The IGA gift vouchers, being mailed to farmers, will allow them to shop within their local communities, bringing a much needed financial injection into their local economy.”

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Media
Allyn Hamonet	m: 0418 228 075		allyn.hamonet@glencore.com.au
Francisde Rosa	m: 0417 074 751		francis.de.rosa@glencore.com

www.glencore.com.au

Notes for Editors

About Glencore in Australia

Glencore has operated in Australia for over 20 years and holds significant interests in a range of commodity industries across all mainland states and the Northern Territory.

Headquartered in Sydney, we are a major Australian employer, with 18,000 people working across industries that include coal, copper, zinc, nickel, oil and agricultural products.

During 2018 in Australia, Glencore contributed more than $15.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. The most significant economic contribution came from core business activities: employing people, sourcing from local communities, and paying taxes to host governments.

For more information, visit www.glencore.com.au  

Glencore’s coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia’s largest coal producers with 16 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for around 10,000 Australians and in 2018 managed the production of about 108 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export. We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.

	www.facebook.com/GlencoreAus
	www.twitter.com/GlencoreAUS
	www.linkedin.com/company/8518
	www.youtube.com/glencorevideos

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.