The devastating effects of the recent Queensland floods has resulted in many farmers losing their entire cattle herds but a new campaign hopes to give producers the boost needed to rebuild their livestock.
Rural Aid have launched the Buy A Cow campaign that allows every day Australians to donate money which will be given to farmers to buy a few cattle.
The charity will allocate 100 per cent of the funds raised to the purchase of new cattle.
Many Queensland farmers lost their core breeders in the floods.
It can take up to two years to generate an income and it can take years to re establish cattle blood lines.
Farmers will be given up to $15,000 each to assist in their restocking in addition to other grants Rural Aid is making towards bill payments, groceries and fodder assistance.
Rural Aid, through its Buy a Bale program, sourced and delivered almost 2500 bales of emergency hay into north-west Queensland immediately after the flood waters receded and is continuing to supply additional fodder as demand requires.
Over the last six months Rural Aid has spent over $13 million supporting farmers in drought affected areas with fodder drops, water, financial assistance and mental health counselling services.
On the evening of Wednesday 20th February 2019, Rural Aid was made aware that our website may have some vulnerabilities, which could result in some farmer’s information, such as names and telephone numbers, being exposed. Rural Aid takes the information security and data privacy of all our stakeholders, including farmers, sponsors and community very seriously. We also believe in the importance of being transparent with our farmers and the community.
Within 24 hours of Rural Aid becoming aware of a potential risk, we acted swiftly to investigate the matter and that initial investigation discovered no evidence that any information was accessed, downloaded or stolen.
Rural Aid is, however, taking proactive precautionary measures and has engaged independent external Cybersecurity specialists to assist in further investigating this matter. Should it transpire that any sensitive information was compromised, we will update you as soon as practicable. Rural Aid will also be undertaking an independent external review of our Information Security and Cybersecurity posture, to identify what can be done to enhance our Information Security and Cybersecurity resilience.
CRICKET Australia has joined other major corporate partners to support Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program and last Friday 15 February saw fourteen primary producers in the Coonamble district benefit from their fundraising efforts.
Four road-trains carrying a total of 269 bales of wheaten hay were delivered to a drop-point at Allan Inglis’ property ‘Burnbrae’ on the Tooraweenah Road.
In town to be part of the hay drop and meet with affected farmers and community members on behalf of Cricket Australia were Brisbane-based Brendan Wild, Senior Events Manager and Melbourne-based Jason Inglis (no relation) and Rural Aid counsellor Ruth Simmons.
“Our fundraising added trucks to Rural Aid’s existing run to Coonamble and one at Texas, Queensland yesterday,” Mr Wild said. “As well as providing hay, our aim was to raise awareness of what Rural Aid does with their farm rescues, counsellors, and other practical support.”
The mechanics of Cricket Australia’s fundraising centred around the recent Brisbane Test where Test patrons could purchase a ‘parma for a farmer’, donate to ride a mechanical bull, or just put their coins in a tin.
“We also had on-field interviews with farmers who came down for the cricket,” Mr Wild said. “It was similar to the Pink Test fundraising for breast cancer nurses but on a smaller scale.”
“The team all donated their playing shirts and signed an Akubra hat for auction,” he said. “Unfortunately it was such a short Test Match it cut down our fundraising.”
Both men say they have learned a lot from their trip.
While overnighting in Coonamble, the Cricket Australia representatives caught up with Junior Cricket volunteers Michael Wilson and Rodger Nalder.
They also spent several hours at ‘Burnbrae’ on Friday to meet and talk to the primary producers as they collected their allotted bales.
“What we’ve contributed is just a drop in the ocean of what is needed,” Mr Wild said.
“We’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone,” Mr Inglis said. “We are amazed at how resilient people are and how everyone just supports each other.”
The hay, which was sourced from South Australia, was unloaded and reloaded by Allan Inglis, Jason Hogland and Michael McKeown.
A sausage sizzle lunch was organised by Brian Ditchfield and Peter Cormie.
HELP IS HERE: Registered Counsellor Zoe Cox has already helped 350 people in the Central West since her appointment by Rural Aid. Photo: SUPPLIED 021119zoe1
HEARTACHE, tears and more than just a few cuppas have featured during the first five months of Rural Aid counsellor Zoe Cox’s work in helping farmers across the Central West.
Despite good recent rainfall, the entire region is still in drought and farmers are facing ongoing failing crops and starving stock.
Ms Cox is a registered counsellor and her role includes: support via phone, farm visits, hay drops, as well as financial support, counselling, and helping farmers access government subsidies and vouchers.
“It’s turned out to be even more satisfying than I thought because I have seen it making a difference,” she said of her appointment to the role.
Ms Cox said some farmers have only needed help filling in a form for government subsidies, others she has helped have been contemplating suicide.
There is reason to go on and they can lean on us and can rely on us to get them through.Rural Aid counsellor Zoe Cox
“There is reason to go on and they can lean on us and can rely on us to get them through,” she said.
Ms Cox said the long-running drought had created a dire situation for many people.
“It’s enduring, it’s not necessarily worse or better because [these days], they’re getting used to the situation,” she said.
HERE TO HELP: Rural Aid counsellor Zoe Cox with Mitchell, 4, Emily, 15, and Brodie, 13, Gartner from Bogan Gate. She has been providing support to the Gartner family for a period of time. Photo: SUPPLIED 021119zoe3
“The hardest part is the unknown and the weather.”
Since she started in September Ms Cox has assisted 350 farmers across her region which includes: Lithgow, Mudgee, Gulgong, Orange, Bathurst, Oberon, Blayney, Parkes, Forbes and Cowra.
Farmers can self-register with Rural Aid for support or the public can nominate someone who they think needs assistance.
“Some of the nominated farmers are a little shy to ask for help,” Ms Cox said.
“We’re talking about some of the most resilient people in the country.”
We’re talking about some of the most resilient people in the country.Rural Aid counsellor Zoe Cox
Often the help Ms Cox provides can start with a phone call or a cuppa at the farmer’s property and this helps her determine what situation the family is in and what help they might need.
“There’s no pressure, it’s a check in and if it doesn’t sit well it’s up to them,” she said.
Ms Cox is from a farming family herself and grew up on a beef cattle property in the Kanimbla Valley east of Bathurst.
“I’ve always had a passion for the land,” she said.
Ms Cox urged farmers not to feel helpless or not entitled and to seek out support where needed.
“If you know anyone in that situation, please encourage them to apply or nominate them,” she said.
“I’m really busy so if you’re a farmer who I haven’t got to yet please don’t hesitate to call me on 0428 445 831.”
DRY TIMES: The widespread drought across the Central West and NSW. Image: NSW DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Rural counsellor is thanks to the community’s support
The fact a dedicated rural counsellor even exists in the Central West at all is due to the generosity of the community in supporting its farmers.
COUNTRY music fans have laid their denim pockets bare at the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival.
The event, which ran over 10 days and featured 700 artists and more than 2800 events, took place in Tamworth, NSW, with festival goers donating a total of $32,465 for Rural Aid. The charity, founded in 2015, raises money to support drought-affected farmers doing it tough across Australia.
“We spent the 10 days of the festival listening to stories of those who have been struggling through this drought,” Rural Aid CEO, Charles Alder, said. “The support that we’ve had from Toyota Australia and those attending the festival goes a long way to help out.”
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Wayne Gabriel, was also heart-warmed by the generosity of the Akubra-wearing public.
“The drought is affecting many Australians, so it’s great to see festival-goers dig deep to help out,” he said. “We have a long history of supporting rural and regional communities in Australia, and we’re looking forward to partnering with Rural Aid again for the 2020 Toyota Country Music Festival.”
If you don’t snare the top prize, there are a few decent runner-up prizes (if you’re into sport, that is): meet cricket legend Glenn McGrath, a trip for two to the 2019 AFL Grand Final, a cricket bat signed by the 2018 Australian cricket team, and a football signed by players selected in the All-Australian team.
