Rural Aid’s Farm Army is helping to spread the love at Trundle

Posted on 19 June 201931 October 2023

Four Trundle farmers and the wider community have been provided a much needed boost thanks to the week long effort from 70 volunteers.

Since June 16, the Farm Army, a project of Rural Aid, have been out in force within the town helping not only the farmers but local schools with various projects.

The volunteers will be in town until June 22 and will provide school children with musical instruments through its Gift of Music program, plus boxes of Lego, stationery and an iPad.

Foresythes Recruitment have sponsored 35 employees to be on the ground helping lend a hand.

Rural Aid also provided country cards to help farmers purchase food for their families and much-needed goods.

A Rural Aid counsellor has been offering mental health support to the rural community.

The Farm Army were only last year in Forbes helping their local rural community.

The Western Magazine spoke to Farm Army manager Julia Hahn ahead of their visit who said upon speaking with drought affected farmers you realise it is the entire the community that suffers.

“The farmers have children, the farmers have wives, they have to do their shopping in town. There’s a domino affect from the harsh reality that the drought brings,” she said.

“We want to support the whole town, that’s our aim, to spread the love as much as we can.”

Ms Hahn said it was important to get out to western NSW to areas where they are needed most. Many of the volunteer helpers include grey-nomads, tradespeople and people willing to lend a hand.

“And they go home as a big family, making new friends not only with the Farm Army but with the farmers that they’ve worked with…. that’s really special to see those bonds forming…,” Ms Hahn said.

Where possible the Farm Army also purchase the products needed for that week at local businesses, Ms Hahn said.

“At the beginning of this year we decided we were going to go into a rural town with a holistic approach and we were going to touch as many people as we could within the community in that week,” she added.

“We’re helping as many people as we can and it’s important for all of the community to see that the rest of Australia does care and we do want to help. This is the Farm Army’s way of showing that the city really does care.”

“We’re just going to be in town… to give them a hug and life their spirits.”

There are many more Farm Army projects in the works this year and if anyone was interested in volunteering their time they only have to visit farmarmy.com.au and register.

This story Farm Army is helping to spread the love at Trundle first appeared on Western Magazine.

The article’s credit is for the source: Western Magazine

Rural Aid planning trip to South Burnett to lend a hand

Posted on 19 June 201931 October 2023

HELP is on the way for South Burnett farmers in need of a bit of extra assistance.

Rural Aid has agreed to set up a campsite in Wondai to fulfil a number of requests from drought-affected farmers in the region.

South Burnett Regional Councillor Kathy Duff said the council had been approached by the group to help with planning.

Rural Aid supports rural people through programs such as Buy a Bale and Farm Rescue.

“I think we are lucky that the Wondai community has been chosen and that some of our farmers will get some much-needed support,” Cr Duff said.

Rural Aid plans to make their trip to the region in October and will travel up to 35km to farms near Wondai.

The team of up to 50 grey nomads, who have a unique set of skills, will work on various farms during their stay.

They may also provide work for community groups if they have time.

“It is still early in their planning process and they are working with council and community groups to find a suitable venue and sort out the logistics of the project,” Cr Duff said.

The article’s credit is for the source: The South Burnett

Rural Aid delivers hay and musical instruments to the Upper Hunter

Posted on 17 June 201931 October 2023

Farmers aren’t the only ones who need a boost when it comes to battling unprecedented drought.

Their children also feel the affects of the situation.ADVERTISING

Charity Rural Aid are determined to help take their mind off their circumstances and give them “a mental health boost” through its Gift of Music program.

A pile of musical instruments were delivered to students at Muswellbrook South Public School on Friday, and the smiles on their faces said it all. 

The charity also brought iPads, Lego and stationary.

The donation was possible thanks to support from Meriton.

“We look at schools and music as a mental health shot in the arm for kids,” general manager Wayne Thomson said. 

“They are still affected by the drought, but in a different way. 

“If they were out with dad counting dead animals in the morning, it’s something nice to be able to go to school and be able to play a keyboard or a guitar, or play with some Lego and be a kid again, rather than thinking about the stress of what is happening at home.”

The entire Upper and Lower Hunter is still battling unprecedented drought and is classified as being in intense drought, drought or drought affected.

Rural Aid recently dropped off supplies to primary school students at Murrurundi Public School, which is one of the worst-hit areas.

“The teacher tried to thank us on the last day we were there and the tears took over and she said ‘you’ve impacted our school, you’ve changed it and made it better’,” he said.

Rural Aid will take musical supplies to Aberdeen Public School, north of Muswellbrook, on Tuesday.

The charity also dropped off hay bales to a farmer at Denman, which was also sponsored by Meriton. 

“One local farmer told me this would give him six week’s worth of feed for his herd, enough time to catch up on some other bills,” Mr Thomson said.

“Another told me he could now get his car repaired, while another said this doesn’t solve the problem, but it sure helps.”

Mr Thomson said conditions remained extremely challenging.

“There are people who think the drought is over and we are trying to remind them that it’s not over. In some places the ground might look green but it’s mostly dirt. Farmers and their communities still need our support,” he said.

“Where there is some green it’s not long enough for a cow to get their tongue around. 

“The Bureau of Meterology and the NSW Department of Primary Industries are talking about this year possibly being worse than last year.”

The article credit is for the source: The Maitland Mercury

RURAL AID CALLS OUT TO CAMPERS TO HELP STRUGGLING FARMERS

Posted on 7 June 201931 October 2023

Rural Aid has seen a massive increase in demand from drought affected farmers looking for on-farm support so is putting the call out to caravaners or campers who may be looking for a new adventure.

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder says campers and caravaners can stop in towns out west and do something to help drought-affected farmers for a week and change a life forever.

“Our Caravaners, campers and grey nomads are an amazing asset for rural Australian communities because they have invaluable life skills which can be used on farms during the drought and tough economic times,” he said.  

“We have had more than 100 farmers register for farm assistance via our Farm Army website in the last month seeking help to upgrade their property through maintenance.

“In many places it’s almost impossible to find people with trades that will drive the distances to do work. On the other hand, there are thousands of retired tradies on holiday who might be willing to help but just don’t know where to look!”

Mr Alder says Rural Aid’s Farm Army have helped hundreds of farmers through their volunteers comprising grey nomads, retirees, tradies and holiday-makers who travel across Australia in their thousands every year.

“It really is a unique experience doing work on a farm and I would encourage all those travellers to consider helping a farmer in need so come and join our Farm Army”, Mr Alder said.

With the 2019 Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow on at the Brisbane Showgrounds with 40,000 attendees, there’s an interest in the outdoors so now is the time to think about helping others.

John Little, 66, from Wandoan was one struggling farmer finding it impossible to maintain his property after recovering from a heart operation and a tractor accident, but the Farm Army came to the rescue.

Mr Little said the Farm Army worked tirelessly for a week and helped with fencing, stock yards, the farm grid and installed a pump to improve water pressure in their house among other things.   

“It was something I really appreciated, and we achieved a massive number of tasks in the time they were here, and they worked so well as a group,” he said.

“Some had caravans, motorhomes and tents enjoying a variety of camping and it was people from all walks of life with many of them skilled tradies, ex-farmers and their contributions were really appreciated.

“It gave people a chance to use their talents and we’ve developed enduring friendships from it.

“People got a sense of fulfillment, it was a time for fun, fellowship and a chance to give help to a farmer who was alone at the time with my wife away for work.”

Rural Aid volunteers work to reinvigorate the community lifting people’s spirits and forming lasting connections with country folk.

If you are interested in getting involved in Rural Aid’s Farm Army visit: ruralaid.org.au/farm-army or telephone 1300 327 624.

Media contact: 
Richard Forbes – 0427270687

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival 2017

Posted on 29 May 201931 October 2023

The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival has come and gone for another year! And we got to be there to celebrate.

The Festival supports the rural town of Goomeri, and shows appreciation for primary producers. Primary producers are very important to us here at Rural Aid, so we were thrilled to attend. The Great Australian Pumpkin Roll is the highlight of the festival, with over 600 Pumpkin Rollers getting involved.

Rural Aid would like to extend a big thank you to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival Committee for inviting us along to the annual event. By all accounts it was an excellent day, and we were very well received. Rural Aid will be visiting Proston before the end of June on a Farm Rescue trip, we look forward to seeing everyone again!

Pictured above is the stall that Tracy and Charles set up early on Sunday morning in the main street of Goomeri. A former Rural Aid volunteer, Sue, even made the trip to help man the stall for the day.