SPECIAL VISIT: Australian country rock singer-songwriter and musician from the Gold Coast, Casey Barnes, will be performing at a special concert in Scone to aid the local community. Photo: Supplied
CHARITY Rural Aid is gearing up to host an evening of free live music, entertainment and twilight markets in Scone.
The Twilight Family Fun Night, this Saturday April 27 at Elizabeth Park, is a first for the charity and it’s all to aid the rural community.
Rural Aid event coordinator Victoria Edwards said they know the Upper Hunter has really struggled through the drought and this is their way of giving back.
“We’ve had quite a few hay deliveries down there and we’re doing a bike ride later on in the year in September,” she said.
“But we knew that September was a while away so we wanted to do something for the community.
“We decided to put on a family fun night where we have small businesses involved through market stalls. That way they would have another avenue to be able to create some income for themselves.”
One of the main aspects of the evening will be the free live music featuring rising Australian country star Casey Barnes as the headline act.
Casey will be supported by up-and-coming artist Josiah Bekker, the Rebecca Johnson Trio, and Brooke Supple.
AUSSIE ARTIST: Brooke Supple has been a vocalist and guitarist for international acts such as Sinead OConnor and The Corrs. Photo: Supplied
“Having Casey perform for us is definitely something that’s close to his heart, being a country artist you perform at a lot of country areas, so you meet a lot of people that are doing it tough,” Ms Edwards said.
“When I spoke to him about coming on board he was really excited to be a part of that.
“He’s actually just got back from Texas touring around with the PBR, so he’s made it back in time for our show which is great.”
The night will also include jumping castles, activities for the kids, lots of giveaways and lucky dips – all at no charge.
“The main goal of the event is to give farmers and the local community the opportunity to come out and have lots of fun with their families,” Ms Edwards added.
With more than 13 market stalls signed up there will be plenty of options on offer.
“It’s great for the local area,” she said. “We’re excited about it. It’s going to look wonderful and sound wonderful.
“When we put on events like this with Rural Aid, it’s not so much about the fundraising its about bringing funds into the towns that are suffering because of the drought.”
The free event runs from 4pm to 9.30pm on Saturday April 27 at Elizabeth Park, Scone.
Neil Parker is the fourth generation of his family to dairy farm.
And he will probably be the last. It is all he has known and all he has ever done.
But he has had enough, he is tired and he is drained.
Neil Parker is the fourth generation of his family to dairy farm.
‘‘I am over it. I have put my life into dairy farming but I can’t keep borrowing money to stay in — this industry just has problem after problem,’’ Mr Parker said.
Mr Parker and his wife Sarah originally farmed at Rochester but moved to their current 110ha property at Kyabram after their irrigation system was shut down.
‘‘We moved to the Goulburn system for water security but that certainly hasn’t eventuated,’’ he said.
The farm has a small allocation but relies on the temporary water market for most of its irrigation requirements.
Mr Parker spent $100000 laser grading half of his farm to improve water efficiency and has only been able to irrigate it once.
Last spring he watched all his cereal crops die because the high cost of temporary water made it too expensive to purchase.
In a normal season he would use about 500Ml — this season, that amount would have cost him $250000.
And he can’t afford the $50000 he needs to buy 100Ml of water to start up this autumn.
He has spoken to a stock agent and is hoping to sell his 200 milkers in what has now become a familiar story across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.
‘‘My field officer came out and said ‘I have worked out a way for you to feed the cows through to March’.
‘‘We are already in the can $50000 this year in outstanding bills and we just can’t keep borrowing money to ride it out,’’ Mr Parker said.
‘‘I am tired, and I am over it.’’
Mr Parker said being unable to export heifers due to the blue tongue ban had also hit his business hard.
‘‘Two years ago we were able to export some heifers which went a fair way toward helping us get through, but that is not as easy as it once was.’’
While things have been tough, a recent visit by Rural Aid to the farm has given the family a much-needed reason to smile.
‘‘Rural Aid has come on board and we have had six people here doing a bit of work for us. They rang a month ago and I ummed and ahhed because I didn’t think I was worthy enough of the cause — but they have been great,’’ he said.
Mr Parker has been able to get his tractor and motorbike serviced by some visiting mechanics from Honda, a much-needed fence is to be built around the dam and a plumber has put some new spouting on the house and installed a new watering system in the veggie garden.
‘‘The dam was high on our list of priorities because we have young kids. My post-hole digger didn’t work and I have even been able to get that fixed. We had a couple of ladies get our veggie garden back up and running, which has been great for Sarah too.
‘‘There have been some great friendships developed and when you sit around the table you soon learn everyone has their own problems to deal with.’’
The visit also bought with it a much needed delivery of hay for not just the Parkers’ herd but some other farming families in the district.
‘‘I can feed out five or six rolls a day — and at $100 a roll it certainly helps,’’ Mr Parker said.
Rural Aid general manager Wayne Thomson said things in the bush were getting worse.
‘‘Things are certainly not great and we just want to let people know that there is somebody out there who cares about them. The mental health of our farmers is very important but we thought a community approach would help impact a lot more people,’’ Mr Thomson said.
From a community perspective Rural Aid helped to repaint the town hall and fence Kyabram Fauna Park.
It also delivered musical instruments and school supplies to Kyabram P-12 College and St Augustine’s College.
‘‘The music teacher was crying her heart out,’’ Mr Thomson said.
He said the group had driven down from Queensland and much of the country was still in crisis.
‘‘Things are just getting tougher and tougher and there seems to be no relief in sight.’’
Owen Zupp offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Qantas Rural Aid charity flight to the recently held Avalon Airshow.
Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU at Avalon Airport for the Qantas Rural Aid charity flight. (Cameron Hines)
Ahead, the ground crew waves his batons, easing the Boeing 747-400 to a slow and gentle halt. One by one, fuel flow is cut to the engines and the giant turbofan engines spool down. Outside a crowd has gathered to see the “Queen of the Skies”, while the view from the flight deck reveals multiple marquees and military hardware that includes F-22 Raptors and the RAAF’s new F-35 Lightning. The Qantas Rural Aid charity flight has arrived at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon.
Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU at Avalon Airport for the Qantas Rural Aid charity flight. (Cameron Hines)
LEAD UP
With the twilight of the Qantas Boeing 747 quickly becoming a sunset, tickets on board the “Jumbo” flight to Avalon were always destined to be popular with aviation enthusiasts.
Consequently, when the limited number of 150 seats went on sale for the appropriate cost of $747, they were sold in a matter of hours. However, weeks before the tickets had even been released, preparations for the flight had been taking place.
At the helm of the event, Qantas’s head of flight operations (HOFO), Captain Mike Galvin had been busily drawing together the many threads needed to make the day happen. Airline operations are scheduled well in advance, so to find a “spare” airframe within the program to undertake the flight was no simple challenge. Even so, the aircraft was only one piece of the puzzle.
A detailed “run sheet” was prepared well in advance, meticulously outlining the timings involved and commencing the night before the flight. Every possible consideration, from security to catering, was given a time, place and responsible person to ensure that the event ran smoothly.
With Diesel providing the preflight entertainment, the Qantas domestic business lounge had to be transformed with furniture being moved and sound systems put in place. A small raised platform and Rural Aid banners rounded off the scene where TV personality, Michael Usher would direct proceedings as the master of ceremonies.
As the day grew closer, communications continued between the various departments, while the technical crew focused on the operational details and flight safety. The aim was to showcase the 747 with an arrival overhead the runway in front of the crowd before flying a visual circuit and landing. While a straightforward manoeuvre in itself, Avalon Airport had special airshow procedures in place and the timings were critical, requiring that the Boeing be on the ground before the airshow operations officially commenced.
Having volunteered to crew the flight, Captain Mark Kelly and First Officer Craig Allan set about honing the arrival procedure in the 747 simulator at the Qantas Jet Base, examining a series of options with due respect paid to safety, airspace restrictions and other operational constraints.
Through a combination of discussions, briefings and flight simulations, a scenario was devised to each of the arrival options – landing to the south on Runway 18, or the more likely profile of landing on Runway 36, given the forecast of Avalon’s hot, northerly breeze.
Even with each and every detail seemingly covered, the dynamic nature of airline operations led to an aircraft change at the eleventh hour from VH-OEB to VH-OJU. Additionally, the incredibly hot weather that was bearing down on Avalon had prompted the organisers to move the program forward into the cooler morning hours with an earlier finish.
This called for an even more heightened awareness of the departure schedule for all concerned, given the steadfast arrival deadline at Avalon. Once again, it was a hive of activity behind-the-scenes, but when the day dawned everything was in place and the Rural Aid flight was ready for take-off.
Qantas Captain Mike Galvin in the airline’s Sydney domestic lounge ahead of the Rural Aid charity flight to Avalon. (Owen Zupp)
PREFLIGHT
The sun was yet to peek its head above the horizon as the crew boarded the bus at Qantas’s Mascot headquarters.
Captain Kelly, with more than 35 years’ experience on the 747, had his wife and daughters accompanying him as the opportunity to fly his family on the Queen of the Skies for such a worthy cause was too good to pass up. The glow of iPads filled the bus in the pre-dawn light as the pilots reviewed the latest flight planning information and discussed the day ahead.
By the time they entered the lounge area in the domestic terminal, there was already a buzz of excitement among the passengers, who mingled with the crew as cameras intermittently flashed, capturing images of the transformed lounge.
Captain Galvin addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of the cause the flight was to aid, thanking the entire crew for volunteering their time and the passengers for their support of Rural Aid. After Captain Galvin had finished, Michael Usher regained the floor and began to outline the day’s activities, including an auction that was to take place.
A return trip to Bali flying business class with Qantas, a two-hour private flight simulator session and items from the interior of the recently retired 747, VH-OJM were among the items up for grabs. And as Diesel readied to take the stage, Captains Kelly and Galvin and their crew slipped away to finalise the operational aspects of the flight.View image on Twitter
In the briefing room, Captain Kelly and First Officer Allan agreed upon a fuel load, before Captain Galvin phoned it through to Load Control. Captain Kelly then addressed the Cabin Crew, who had all donated their time to operate the flight. He emphasised the importance of safety on a flight that was undoubtedly full of excitement and a little different to the long sectors that the 747 normally undertook. He also highlighted that while the arrival may seem different, it was nothing out of the ordinary – it was simply a visual circuit.
With the final details submitted and the crew briefed, the minutes were counting down. While the passengers were busy bidding and enjoying the entertainment, the crew made its way through the terminal to the farthest domestic gate and the lone bay that could accommodate the expanse of the 747. There they found VH-OJU, refueling hose attached, but otherwise at the ready for the flight South.
On the flight deck, the priorities and procedures remained the same. Checklists, briefings and panel scans flowed, only interrupted by the occasional question, or visit by a camera crew. Each time, the crew carefully retraced their steps and recommenced their procedures to ensure the interruption did not result in an oversight.
By now the upper deck passengers were boarding and hum of discussion filtered subtly onto the flight deck. The time for departure was closing in and the fuel still had to be loaded entirely. The critical nature of the timing was not assisted by Sydney’s winds either, requiring a long taxi to depart off Runway 34 Left and requiring a series of turns before the 747 was even pointing towards Avalon. The aim was to touchdown twenty minutes before the 0900 deadline and with every minute that passed, it was looking more difficult. And then the refueling was completed.
The final paperwork was signed off and the final ground staff disembarked. Doors closed, pushed back and engines started, the 747 was cleared to taxi. Photographers were perched on Shep’s Mound as QF1360 passed by and it was apparent from the first transmission that air traffic control (ATC) was aware of the nature of the flight and the importance of its arrival time into Avalon.
With the cabin secure and the checklists complete, VH-OJU lined up on the runway and shortly after Captain Kelly raised its nosewheel into the air, allowing the graceful airframe to take flight.
The morning sun provided the backdrop to a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour as the 747 made a left turn to the west and ATC let them know they would clear them to the south as soon as possible, which they did within minutes. With the course set, Captain Kelly increased the speed for the climb and cruise, deciding to fly at a lower level than planned to further reduce the flight time.
Low cloud filled the valleys in the Southern Highlands before Canberra poked its head through a layer of stratus. The crew busily programmed the Flight Management Computer (FMC) with the expected arrival and briefed the descent, approach and landing, just as they had done in the simulator in the days preceding the flight. As expected, the weather was hot and windy and favouring Runway 36 at Avalon.
To offer the crowd a view of the four-engined legend and still meet the stringent timeline, the plan was to arrive at Avalon from the north as if flying an approach to Runway 18, albeit higher than the profile needed to land. On reaching the runway, Captain Kelly would turn right to position the aircraft parallel to the runway complex on a left down wind leg, before completing the circuit to land on Runway 36. It was a manoeuvre they had rehearsed, and that ATC was anticipating when they cleared QF1360 to commence descent.
As the destination grew ever closer and the aircraft lower, the surrounding scenery was a poignant reminder of the cause behind the flight. In every direction the landscape was brown, creek beds were little more than clay and the heat seemed to rise up from the parched earth. As the 747’s shadow clipped across the ground it seemed to offer the only relief from the harsh rays of the sun. The drought was hitting hard and those on the land deserved all the assistance that could be offered.
A shadow of Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU enroute to Avalon Airport for the Qantas Rural Aid Charity flight. (Owen Zupp)
The Qantas Rural Aid Charity Flight on approach to Avalon Airport. (Owen Zupp)
As the runway loomed ahead, Captain Kelly called for First Officer Allan to lower a stage of flap as he eased the jet’s nose down. Reaching 1,500 feet, he levelled the 747, moved slightly right of the runway centerline before continuing into a right turn as planned. Below the crowd pointed and cameras clicked and the queue to the airshow was already winding on for what seemed kilometres.
The crew’s focus alternated between configuring the aircraft, monitoring the instruments and flying the visual approach with “eyes outside”. Rolling onto “final”, with landing gear and flaps extended and checklists complete, the 747 was cleared to land. As the radio altimeter counted down the feet, Captain Kelly eased back on the control column and thrust levers to lower the Boeing smoothly onto the runway. Lowering the nosewheel, reverse thrust was deployed to idle. The time was 0939.
Needing to turn around at the far end of the runway, the 747 rolled out, smoothly decelerating before backtracking in front of an enthusiastic crowd line. As the aircraft exited the runway and moved towards her parking space, the crowd moved with her and the admiration for the “Queen of the Skies” was plain to see.
Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU operating the Qantas Rural Aid charity flight to Avalon Airport. (Cameron Hines)
Qantas Captain Mark Kelly in the flight deck of Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU. (Owen Zupp)
A SPECIAL DAY
From before the first passenger had arrived that morning, Qantas’s public relations manager Amanda Bolger had been a driving force of enthusiasm. Enroute to Avalon she had seen to the passengers, the media and the range of activities taking place in the cabin on the relatively short flight. Once the aircraft had parked, she was steering the passengers toward the flight deck where one by one they were given rare access to the flight deck of the Boeing 747.
Some wore T-shirts they had made specifically for the day, while others related their past experiences on the 747. Young and old, they excitedly took photos and tried on the Captain’s hat for size, as the crew answered questions and listened intently. At the end of the queue, flight attendants took their turn “up front” with some peeking out of the overhead escape hatch at the sea of aircraft and people that surrounded them.
Qantas Captain Mark Kelly speaks with reporters in the flight deck of Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU at Avalon. (Owen Zupp)
A passenger visits the flight deck of Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU at Avalon Airport. (Owen Zupp)
When it was time to leave the aircraft, the airshow lay ahead, but only after more photos were taken beside VH-OJU and many more stories were related.
From roaring military hardware to tumbling aerobatics, the skies were filled with aircraft great and small. The heat was unrelenting, and the wind threw the dust about, but that was the sideshow and it was tolerable to witness what was taking place overhead.
For the privileged passengers of the Qantas Rural Aid Charity Flight, they still had one more appointment as the air show drew to a close in the afternoon and the crowds filed out the gate. Renumbered as QF1361, the sector home to Sydney still remained.
A little more subdued after an extraordinary day, the passengers filed onto VH-OJU for the return flight with the crew having boarded some time earlier to ready the aircraft. Once again, the planning, the briefing, the checklists and procedures were conducted methodically to ready the 747.
Outside, numerous light aircraft and the occasional military machine departed Avalon as the 747’s four engines came to life and the aircraft prepared to taxi. This time the long taxi was a backtrack down Runway 36 past the remaining crowd members who had stayed to say farewell. Lined up on Runway 36, the thrust levers were advanced again and as the aircraft lifted in to the skies, the white marquees and grey military tail fins became a blur before they finally fell way from the climbing 747.
A look at the wing of Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU when it was at Avalon Airport for the Qantas Rural Aid Charity flight. (Owen Zupp)
A look at Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU when it was at Avalon Airport for the Qantas Rural Aid Charity flight. (Owen Zupp)
A FLIGHT WITH A HEART
From its conception to its conclusion, the Qantas Rural Aid Charity Flight was so much more than just another sector. Born of the concept of helping our people on the land, it was facilitated by the generosity of Qantas and executed by a team of volunteers, on the ground an in the air. It offered those with a passion for aviation a unique opportunity to bond with a special aircraft before it slips from our skies.
In dollar terms, the flight raised an incredible $138,000 for Rural Aid but it also raised awareness of our farmers’ plight. It saw the crew donating time and skill to do what they love and for a small band of enthusiasts to share their love of a classic aircraft in the pursuit of a worthy cause.
Long before Captain Kelly raised the nosewheel, this was more than just another flight for all concerned. This was a flight with heart.
For more information about Rural Aid, go to the organisation’s website.
MASSIVELY SUCCESSFUL ‘PARMA FOR A FARMER’ CAMPAIGN CONTINUING INTO 2019
On the back of the massive success of the 2018 Parma for a Farmer campaign its being run again in 2019 with the aim of raising $1.5 million and having 3,000 venues register.
The Parma for a Farmer campaign involves venues from around Australia registering to donate a dollar amount from each parmigiana dish served. The campaign is set to run throughout the year, with venues choosing what time/how long they wish to fundraise.
The money will be used to provide assistance to rural communities impacted by natural disasters such as the devastating drought across much of Eastern Australia.
Amanda Kinross from Bendigo created “Parma for a Farmer” in August 2018 and after posting the idea on Facebook, it went viral and was picked up by media all over Australia. 1560 venues registered for the event and $1 million was raised with funds donated to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale campaign to assist with the ongoing drought crisis. Those same venues have been invited to participate again and already after just a few days, registrations from across 4 states have started to flow in.
Jacinta Atkins from the Transport Public Bar in Melbourne says they support Parma for a Farmer because its important not to forget our country cousins, “In the city you can feel far away from those struggling in the country. It’s important for us to recognise what the farmers are going through and raise awareness for them, as they keep us in business with the supply of their produce, including the chicken for our parmas! Parma for a Farmer is a great initiative, as everyone loves a parma and you can enjoy one even more than usual, knowing you are raising money to support those who keep us fed.”
Christine McAuliffe from The Highway in Adelaide says they supported it last year and will do so again in 2019, “We decided to be involved with Parma for a Farmer again because The Highway have always prided themselves on using local, fresh produce (for food and wine). Obviously for this to occur we rely heavily on our Farmers, and without them we can’t produce the quality of food that we are accustomed to offering! It’s a great concept, and we have found it’s a perfect, easy ’no brainer’ way for City folk to support our famers”.
CEO of Rural Aid Charles Alder says, “Sadly the drought hasn’t broken so Rural Aid have decided to continue the Parma for a Farmer campaign and build on the success with some added incentives and opportunities for engagement. A new campaign website has been launched, www.parmaforafarmer.com.au and a new diner competition will see one parmy eater win dinner for themselves and 19 mates. The highest earning venues from each state will win an award”.
About Rural Aid
Rural Aid was founded in 2015 to provide a holistic support program to rural Australia. The starting point for the charity was the success of the Buy a Bale campaign, which Australians have generously donated to allowing the distribution of fodder, hampers and more. We understand the needs of our primary producers and aim to lend a helping hand when times are tough.
CLUBBING TOGETHER — Kyabram Croquet Club Treasurer Sue Agosta (centre) with Rural Aid volunteers Damien and Yvonne Harvey from Newcastle, Jenny Welsh from Canberra, Ash McIntyre from Newcastle, Graham Reardon from Canberra and Kim McIntyre, also from Newcastle.
YOU may be doing it tough, but you are not doing it alone.
That’s the message spread by more than 35 Rural Aid volunteers as they teamed up with Honda to give Kyabram a much-needed facelift during the past week.
Coming from around Australia the small army painted, gutted, cleaned and pruned their way into the hearts of those they helped.
By Friday of last week the Town Hall had been repainted and transformed, the showgrounds had a new kitchen and the croquet club was looking much younger than its almost 100-year age bracket suggests.
Shadow Business Secretary on Honda closure
Shadow Business Secretary comments on Honda’s closure.
Two local farmers were also helped out around their properties and with a delivery of feed.
At the Fauna Park overgrown tree branches were cut down and fences put up.
Not even the cemetery escaped the kindness of the Rural Aid army, receiving some TLC and much appreciated maintenance.
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And Rural Aid couldn’t have come at a better time with local farmers struggling against the protracted dry and soaring temporary water prices.
Showgrounds committee secretary Janelle McDonald said it was the “best thing that had happened to Kyabram in a long time’’.
“They’ve had me in tears a few times this week, to be honest. They’ve just gone above and beyond, nothing was too hard for them. It’s such a morale boost, all I can say is – just wow,” she said.
Croquet club treasurer Sue Agosta agreed.
“It’s just an absolutely huge boost to the club. We are turning 100 in a few years and this has just given the building such a facelift,” she said.
Volunteer Damien Harvey from Newcastle worked on the club revamp and said he wanted people in regional communities to feel the support of those living in metro areas.
“I want them to know some people in the cities really do care and that we will do what we can to support them,” he said.
It was a message echoed throughout the volunteer group.
“How many jobs are totally dependent on the weather? Not many. But our farmers are totally at the mercy of the season,” volunteer Marg Hancocks said.
“If the farmers suffer, the communities suffer, and we’re here to help in any way we can.”
Town Hall committee secretary Anne Churches said the painting of the hall would have a lasting and significant impact.
“It’s wonderful. We were particularly interested in presenting the hall in it’s best light for the Victorian CWA meeting here in August, and now we can be really proud of what we offer. The new coat of white paint is a great thing for our exhibitions too,” she said.
Long-term Rural Aid volunteers Neil and Allison Elliot, who helped get the hall up to scratch and said it was important for Australians to recognise the significance of agricultural communities.
“We like to say that you need a farmer three times a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. Without farmers we have no food. Helping our farming communities is the right thing to do, and we believe in paying it forward,” they said.
Rosey Bartlett from Old Bar and her husband Lee quit their jobs last year in order to work on Rural Aid projects full time.
She described the week spent getting to know the Kyabram community as one of hope.
“Kyabram has absolutely been so inspiring. This whole community is so warm and full of hope, it’s been really amazing,” she said.
The Rural Aid team also joined the Gift Of Music program to donate two classroom sets of instruments to Kyabram P-12 College.
Then organised a performance from the Australian Army band, which entertained at schools across the immediate region and put on a free community concert.
Kyabram P-12 College Performing Arts teacher Sue Meeking said she was overwhelmed by their support and described the band performance as a “big party’’.
“We are so thrilled to have their support. It gives us the chance to introduce every child to music. We’ve already started running classes with the instruments – the students just love them,” she said.
Fauna Park manager Lachlan Gordon said the work volunteers did during the week was incredibly valuable and called on locals to help continue the improvements.
“Volunteers have always been an important part of the Fauna Park. We’ll be opening up our volunteer program again soon and seeking more local people to sign on,” he added.
