IN times of drought sometimes all you need is a little pick-me-up to put a smile back on the face.

Thanks to the unending generosity of Rural Aid, students at Stanthorpe State Primary School got just that.

It was like Christmas morning on Friday as music students unpacked and pieced together some shiny new presents.

“We just want these kids to have a bit of a break. It’s sometimes a tough life when living through drought,” Rural Aid general manager Wayne Thomson said.

“Music is a beautiful thing and to be able to have that bit of fun and opportunity to play can make a difference.”

Photos

View Photo Gallery

It was like Christmas morning for Stanthorpe State Primary School students and teachers when Rural Aid paid a visit on Friday.Photo: Matthew Purcell.

Through their Gift of Music initiative, Mr Thomson and his Rural Aid crew donated close to $10,000 worth of instruments, plus Lego and Ipads, to the school last Friday. It was one of four similar trips they did that day around the region.

“We just saw the need. We thought ‘Well mum and dad we’re helping with fuel and fodder and food – but what about the kids?’

They’ve donated to more than 100 schools across Queensland since starting the scheme nearly two years ago.

“To get this many new instruments at once – the school couldn’t possibly afford it,” SSPS’s instrumental music teacher, Bruce Eddiehausen said.

“The fact we’ve got brand new instruments… the kids’ progress will be so much better.

“Your program needs a bit of momentum, a bit of excitement. These kids are going to come in next week and be wanting to learn.

“What these people (Rural Aid) do is amazing,” he said.

The article’s credit is for the source : Stanthrope Border Post

Our drought-stricken farmers, and our food bowl, need us now more than ever.

The paddocks across most of the state still resemble a desert. Water resources are dry or drying up and a lot of farming families are struggling to pay the bills and put food on their tables.ADVERTISING

Photos of once fertile farms keep flowing into The Mercury, and let’s be honest, it’s beyond heartbreaking.

This time last year there was a groundswell of support for farmers and many fundraisers were being held in Maitland and across the Hunter. Drought charities are now reporting a fall in donations and public awareness.

None of the city’s pubs and clubs have registered to take part in this month’s Parma for a Farmer – a fundraiser where a dollar, or a few, is collected from every chicken parmigiana sold and donated to Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale campaign.

Chameleon Play Cafe in Cessnock is the only business in the Lower Hunter that has pledged its support. There are also two others in the Upper Hunter.

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder said the conditions livestock farmers were facing were so intense that the charity would need to spend about $22 million on hay and transport between now and June next year. 

With no rain on the horizon – and a hot summer predicted, the conditions are expected to deteriorate further in the coming months. 

“Across vast areas of NSW 12 months on our farmers are no better off – there is still a shortage of fodder, a lack of water and we need to help them again,” Mr Alder said.

“If you can share a dollar or two from every chicken parmigiana sold we can buy more hay and truck more hay to farmers who are in need, including in the Hunter.”

Businesses can register for free online. Go to www.parmaforafarmer.com.au

 Rural Aid counsellors have moved into their second year of tackling mental health issues at the farm gate.

Demand for the specialist service continues to increase as the drought persists, according to Rural Aid Counsellor Gary Bentley, who’s been helping drought stricken communities across the Central West.

In the financial year just ended counsellors working for the farm-focused charity tallied close to 2000 phone counselling sessions and a little under 400 face-to-face sessions.

Rural Aid counsellor Gary Bentley said the service was being expanded.

“The psychological damage of the worst drought since records began in Australia is difficult to quantify,” Mr Bentley said.

“But we do know that the rural suicide rate has increased and depression levels in the farming community are at an all-time high.

“We are committed to the principle of meeting farmers at their place of need in their time of need.”

Mr Bentley said desperation, loneliness and overwhelming sadness were driving factors when it came to farmers seeking help.

“Farmers are resilient people. As a community they are accustomed to resolving their own problems. But this drought has drained physical and mental resources.

“Rural Aid offers a message of hope…hope in cash, kind and care.

“During the last financial year we provided more than $30.5 million in drought assistance to farmers and rural communities across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.”

The counselling team is there to help farmers better understand their situation, Mr Bentley said.

“We’re there not only to listen but to hear and to suggest strategies and help guide farmers through their mental anguish.

“Stressed and troubled people don’t always make the best decisions if left to themselves.

“We want to do whatever we can to ensure the survival of our farms, our farmers and their families.”

For the first 40 years of his working life Mr Bentley was a journalist working with newspapers, radio and television.

“I was raised in a Central Western NSW town and spent many years working in rural communities.

That has given me insight and understanding when it comes to the problems facing our farmers.

“I believe my life experience equipped me well for my role as a Counsellor.”

The article’s credit is for the source: Wellington Times

Twenty-seven farmers from the Karoonda East Murray district and surrounds have shared more than 275 tonnes of feed dropped off to help them through the dry year.

Rural Aid arranged the drop of more than 200 tonnes of hay and 75 tonnes of pellets at the town’s old sheep saleyards on Thursday, with help from the local council and WSB Distributors.

The feed, worth more than $120,000, was collected through Rural Aid’s “Buy a Bale” drive.

Primary Industries and Regions SA and stock feed manufacturers JT Johnson and Sons were also represented at the gathering.

• Donate: www.buyabale.com.au/donate or 1300 327 624.

The article’s credit is for the source: Murray Valley Standard.