Rural Aid and CBA roll 296 bales of hay into drought-stricken Armidale

Posted on 12 December 201931 October 2023

ARMIDALE, 11/12 December 2019: With drought conditions set to worsen and communities suffering with the impact of both the drought and bushfires, Rural Aid and Commonwealth Bank have delivered close to 300 bales of hay to farmers in northern New South Wales, as part of CommBank’s 2019 Christmas Drought Appeal.

Following CBA’s donation to Rural Aid for the Appeal, the much needed hay was delivered on road trains and distributed to farmers in Armidale, who filled up their trucks with feed to take to their livestock on Wednesday morning.

On-the-ground delivering hay to local farmers, Grant Cairns, Executive General Manager for Regional and Agribusiness Banking at CBA said, “As New South Wales continues to experience one of the worst droughts on record, farmers around the Armidale and Tamworth regions have been forced to sell their stock, unable to source feed.

“Thanks to generous donations of our customers, employees and the broader community, we’ve been able to contribute to the vital work Rural Aid are doing to support communities affected by the drought. Delivering feed to farmers is such a great initiative and every little bit helps.

“We hope that donations continue well into the holiday season as we show our farmers we’re thinking of them during this extremely difficult time. We’re accepting donations for the 2019 Christmas Drought Appeal through the CommBank app and in-branch, so customers to make donations anywhere, anytime.”

Rural Aid NSW Business Development Manager, Craig Marsh said he would like to thank CBA for supporting our farmers who are struggling, on many levels, through this record-breaking drought and now, the impact of bushfires.

“The hay drop, made possible by the generosity of CBA’s customers, employees and the broader community, will go a long way in easing some of the burden experienced by the 35 Armidale farmers struggling to feed their stock,” Craig Marsh said.

In addition to this week’s hay drop, on Sunday, CBA has partnered with Channel 9 for the Nine Hay Mate charity concert in Mornington Peninsula to help raise money through a telethon for Rural Aid. The concert will include performances from Australian legends John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite with Channel Nine veteran Richard Wilkins as the event’s host.

CommBank call centres will be taking calls to facilitate donations throughout the event with over 300 staff volunteering to support the drought effort.

About the CommBank Christmas Drought Appeal

The Commonwealth Bank will be donating $500,000 to each of its fundraising partners on the appeal: Rural Aid and Australian Red Cross, in order to provide balance in supporting regional communities for the short and long term.

Rural Aid is one of the largest rural charities in Australia, with a focus on supporting farmers and rural communities in times of natural disaster such as drought, flood and fire. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, their support includes fodder, financial assistance, water, counselling and volunteers. The charity also supports initiatives that are focussed on the long term sustainability of farming and rural communities.

Australian Red Cross is the nation’s leading humanitarian organisation and a national emergency responder. It supports and empowers people and communities in times of vulnerability to reduce suffering, by mobilising a network of volunteers.

To find out more about the CommBank Christmas Drought Appeal, go to: http://www.commbank.com.au/drought.

Contact Details

CBA Media

+61 02 9118 6919

media@cba.com.au

commbank.com.au/newsroom

Twitter: @cbanewsroom

Finish and Rural Aid deliver 2 million litres of water to New England region as part of #FinishWaterWaste initiative

Posted on 10 December 201931 October 2023

New South Wales, Australia, 10 December 2019 – After being devastated by recent bushfires that swept across the region, drought-stricken communities in New England are set to benefit from a much-needed delivery of 2 million litres of water from today onwards, thanks to the national #FinishWaterWaste initiative which commenced in September in partnership with Rural Aid.

With the first litres of water being delivered to farmers in Glen Innes today, this third ‘water drop’ will be the largest #FinishWaterWaste delivery to date and will help support those most impacted by the fires and drought, replenishing water tanks for farmers and their families in the New England region, just in time for Christmas.

The #FinishWaterWaste initiative encourages Australians to turn off the tap and stop pre-rinsing their dishes to save up to 40 litres of water per load¹, and in turn promises to donate 6.8 million litres of water³ to communities suffering from the drought.

Glen Innes was severely impacted by the October bushfires that shocked the nation, with 80 blazes in the area destroying over 150 homes. When local water restrictions were escalated from Level 3 to Level 4 in November, there were still 14 active fires burning.

Glen Innes remains the smallest and most rural local government in the state to declare Climate Emergency in response to unprecedented drought and bushfire conditions.

Rural Aid spokesperson Craig Marsh said: “Seeing the devastation families experienced during the bushfires meant there was no question that Glen Innes and the New England region were in need of our assistance. With 2 million litres of water to donate, we are hopeful the delivery will help families that have already suffered immensely from the drought and fires, providing some reprieve during the festive season.”

Research shows more than three quarters of Australians use their dishwashers at least two to three times a week, with the majority rinsing their dishes beforehand⁵. This unnecessary habit can waste up to 40 litres of water per load¹; or, an estimated 20 billion litres of water in just one year².

To help #FinishWaterWaste and support those families impacted by the drought, Finish is continuing to encourage Australians to turn off the tap and stop pre-rinsing their dishes. For each promise to #FinishWaterWaste that is shared via social media, Finish will donate 40 litres of much-needed water to drought-affected Australians.

For more information on the campaign and to see the T&Cs, visit: www.finishwaterwaste.com.au

-ENDS-

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

How to get involved

Make the promise via social media by sharing a public post demonstrating their favourite water saving tip, tagging #FinishWaterWaste and Finish will donate 40 litres of water to people that need it via Rural Aid⁷.

6 way to save water at home⁸

1. Dual flush on the toilet saves 80% per flush
2. Modern showerheads save 50% per minute
3. Front loading washing machines save 70% per load
4. Dishwashers save 90% per load
5. Low flow taps save 50% per minute
6. Drip irrigation saves 99% per hour

About Finish

Finish is the world’s #1 recommended dishwasher brand globally² and has been at the forefront of automatic dishwashing for over 60 years. Since 1964, Finish has been on Australian shores, establishing itself as the leader in dishwashing detergent with its revolutionary powder.

Finish Quantum Ultimate gives Finish’s best ever clean, offering improved cleaning power on the toughest grease for the greatest shine.

Finish has made a global commitment to make a difference to the world’s water scarcity issue, partnering with not-for-profit Rural Aid and content partner, National Geographic to drive awareness.

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.

References

¹ February 2019, Poseidon Omnibus Study n=1000. Commissioned by RB.

²Based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Nielsen Homescan and global Finish research on dishwasher usage.

³Donations of water resulting from promises made on social media and in-store purchases of select packs of Finish Quantum Ultimate will cap at 6,800,000 litres. See finishwaterwaste.com,au for more details. ²

⁴Where our water goes from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/whereourwatergoes/Australia/

⁵Based on global Finish research on dishwasher usage.

It’s a big week for Australia -dancing, singing and partying

Posted on 6 December 201931 October 2023

HIVE + WELLNESS PARTNERS WITH RURAL AID TO LAUNCH HARDSHIP FUND FOR AUSSIE BEEKEEPERS

Posted on 2 December 201931 October 2023

Hive + Wellness, which sources honey from over half the country’s professional beekeepers for use in its Capilano brand, has joined today with Rural Aid and peak industry body The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), to launch Hive Aid, a drought and bushfire relief campaign aimed specifically at struggling beekeepers.

The company has warned Australia’s $58 billion agricultural industry is at risk as it looks to garner urgent support for the nation’s “littlest livestock with the biggest impact”, calling on consumers and government to back Australian beekeepers and honey bees.

Hive + Wellness COO Ben McKee said: “Bees and beekeepers have a crucial role to play in our food production, and right now they are in a battle for survival. Hive Aid will provide much-needed assistance during some of the worst conditions in memory.”

The 2019/2020 honey season is forecast to be the lowest on record, with drought and bushfire decimating available water and flowering trees, and severe heat further impacting survival and activity of bee populations.

 “We are already seeing falling bee populations and the increasing risk of an exodus from the industry by beekeepers who can no longer maintain viable operations. If we don’t take immediate action, we risk not just a fall in honey production, but declines in food production across the board,” Mr McKee said.

“The honey shortage is what consumers will see first, but the ramifications of the current conditions are much greater. Bees are directly responsible for pollinating one third of everything we eat – they have an impact on crops as varied as apples, avocados and broccoli, as well as feed used for livestock.”

Hive Aid will be overseen by AHBIC, and will provide financial and practical support to professional beekeepers. The campaign sits alongside other programs run by Rural Aid.

“Australia’s professional beekeepers are the cornerstone of Australian agriculture. We need to assist those currently impacted so that they don’t leave the industry, as well as provide help for difficult conditions ahead,” Mr McKee said.

“It is easy to overlook our littlest livestock and the forgotten farmers who care for them, but there should be no doubt about their importance. The contribution of honey bees to agriculture in Australia through pollination services is estimated at up to $20 billion.”

Wayne Thomson, Rural Aid National Business Development Manager said the campaign would provide immediate practical assistance, such as supporting beekeepers with the cost of water to sustain bees or the cost of fuel to transport hives to areas with more nutritional resources for their bees. “Individual beekeepers may have different needs – our support will enable funds to be directed where they are most needed,” Mr Thomson said.

AHBIC Chairman, Peter McDonald said: “AHBIC is excited to work with Hive + Wellness and Rural Aid on this initiative. The industry’s challenges are very real, and our members are telling us that they need urgent help.”

“Aside from some indirect funding, fodder and freight subsidies, as well as waiving of National Park permit and truck registration fees in NSW, there has not been any adequate funding made available on a national level specifically for beekeepers registered as primary producers,” he said.

Donations to the Hive Aid can be made at www.ruralaid.org.au/hiveaid.

Professional beekeepers are encouraged to register for assistance via www.ruralaid.org.au.

Hive + Wellness is the largest honey packer, marketer and supporter of beekeepers in Australia. Rural Aid, best known for its successful “Buy a Bale” campaign, is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. AHBIC is the peak body for beekeepers, and works to ensure the long-term economic viability, security and prosperity of the honey bee industry in Australia. 

Contact:          Carolyn Ryan, Associate Director, Daymark – 0468 924 777                         Raylee Huggett, Media and Communications, Rural Aid – 0447 116 757

Notes:
The volume of farm production in Australia (crops, livestock, livestock products) was forecast to be $58 billion in 2018/19 – see www.agriculture.gov.au

The value of the Australian beekeeping industry to agricultural and horticultural industries is estimated at between $8.35billion and $19.97billion – John M Karasiński, 2018 The Economic Valuation of Australian Managed and Wild Honey Bee Pollinators. Curtin University

CBA launches 2019 CommBank Christmas Drought Appeal with $1 million donation

Posted on 21 November 201931 October 2023

Every dollar raised to support impacted communities through Rural Aid and the Australian Red Cross  Donations accepted via the CommBank app and in CBA branches nationally  A further $500,000 to recruit retired banking staff to support financial counselling for farmers   CBA ‘Drought Support Hub’ for customers

Thursday, 21 November 2019: Today, on National Agriculture Day, Commonwealth Bank has launched the 2019 Christmas Drought Appeal with a $1 million donation to help support farmers and communities across the country who have been devastated by recent and unrelenting droughts.

Every dollar of the CommBank Christmas Drought Appeal will directly support Rural Aid and the Australian Red Cross and the vital work they are doing to support Aussie farmers and communities impacted by drought. 

Matt Comyn, Commonwealth Bank CEO, said: “The continuing drought is hurting families, businesses and communities. Support for drought affected regions is a priority for CBA. Our farmers and our rural and regional businesses and communities deserve our support in good times, but especially when times are tough. And times don’t get much tougher than they are right now. 

“Every dollar of the CommBank Christmas Drought Appeal will directly support Rural Aid and the Australian Red Cross, contributing to the vital work they do to support those impacted by the drought. This will include a range of support programs, such as feed for livestock, and every day expenses, such as school fees and other support services.

“Thanks to the generous donations of our customers and the broader community, we raised close to eight million dollars last year. I’ve spoken to many of our drought affected customers and have heard that every little bit helps. Through supporting this appeal let’s show our farmers that we are thinking of them this Christmas,” said Mr Comyn. 

From tonight until Christmas Day, CBA will be accepting donations through the CommBank app allowing customers to make donations anywhere, anytime. In addition, all CBA branches will be accepting donations across the country. Last year, CBA and its customers together raised close to $8 million for those impacted by the drought and this year we want to raise even more.

CBA will also invest an additional $500,000 to support the recruitment of a team of retired banking staff to support the NSW Rural Financial Counselling Services, that help farmers get the support they need.  

Grant Cairns, Executive General Manager for Regional and Agribusiness Banking at Commonwealth Bank, said: “Our new program to fund former bank officers to help with rural financial counselling will help farmers, businesses and communities get access to free financial counselling – support that is much need during this challenging time.”

CBA has also launched an online ‘Drought Support Hub’, that brings together all of the bank’s support packages and resources under one portal, and directs customers to the many benefits and support packages available from government and external services. We have already contacted more than 250,000 customers in drought affected areas by sending messages through the CommBank app, and Netbank, and via phone calls, emails, and in branch to help people find and use the Hub..

“We are doing more to help  people affected by drought and we encourage all our customers to support this Appeal. Any donation no matter how small, will make a difference to our farmers, and our regional and rural communities this Christmas,” Mr Cairns concluded.