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.

On par with rural aid

Posted on 10 May 201931 October 2023

CENTRAL Highlands Toyota, in conjunction with the Emerald Golf Club, will be hosting a Rural Aid Charity Golf Day from 9am, May 18

The Charity Golf Day will aim to raise as much money as possible for Rural Aid, which continues to work for farmers in the Central Highlands.

Jessica Gibbs, event organiser from Central Highlands Toyota, said the goal for the event is simple with the help of sponsors.

“We are just trying to raise enough money for Rural Aid,” Ms Gibbs said.

“They do the buy a bale program and adopt a farmer program.

“We want to give a special thank you to Oakey Creek, they’ve sponsored $5000 for the event.

“This gives $16,000 so far sponsored for the event.

“We would also like a special mention to some of our other sponsors – Frontline Equipment Maintenance, Rolleston Coal, Mader Qld, AP Eagers and Light Vehicle Solutions.”

Central Highlands Toyota sponsored this event after a string of unfortunate weather events rocked farmers in the Central Highlands.

“After the drought, the floods and the fires, as a rural community we just wanted to do our bit to help,” Ms Gibbs said.

“Because every family needs a farmer.”

Gibbs and Toyota are hopeful the community will turn out in force to donate and support the cause.

“We’re hoping to have the full 144 players on the course,” Ms Gibbs said.

There are also great prizes to be won with Central Highlands Toyota securing the main prize for the golf day for the winning team.

“Korte’s Resort in Rockhampton is giving

away two nights accommodation for all four team members (plus partners) as well as that, there will be a $120 voucher for the Oasis Restaurant at the Resort included,” Gibbs said.

“We also have a hole in one giveaway of a car on hole 17,” Gibbs concluded.

Team registration on the day is at 9am for a 9.30am start.

The article’s credit is for the source: CQNews

CATS AND BOMBERS PARTNER WITH RURAL AID

Posted on 9 May 201931 October 2023

Essendon and Geelong have partnered with one of the largest rural charities in Australia, Rural Aid, ahead of the fourth installation of the Powercor Country Festival blockbuster at the MCG this Sunday.

Founded by Charles and Tracy Alder in 2015, Rural Aid provides support to farmers and rural communities in times of natural disaster such as drought, flood and fire, as well as supporting the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Donations from the game and the fundraising effort will go directly to the drought-stricken farming region of Gippsland in country Victoria.

Working with Rural Aid, plans have also been announced to host a Hay Mate Concert in Yarra Park in 2020, for the fifth anniversary of the Country Festival blockbuster.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer Charles Alder said: “We are delighted to be partnering with both the Essendon and Geelong Football clubs and congratulate both clubs on raising the profile of rural and regional communities.”

Essendon Chief Executive Officer Xavier Campbell said the Club was proud to be partnering with Rural Aid in line with the blockbuster Country Festival clash this week.

“This is an important partnership with one of the largest rural charities in Australia, and we’re proud of this natural alignment with Rural Aid throughout an important week for us in recognising the contribution of regional communities to our great state,” Campbell said.

“The fundraising is for the Victorian drought, particularly concentrating our efforts for farmers in Gippsland so we look forward to a big turnout at the MCG on Sunday for the Country Festival in support of Rural Aid.”

Geelong Chief Executive Officer Brian Cook said the Club was looking forward to a strong partnership with Rural Aid.

“We are proud to partner with Rural Aid, who work to achieve positive outcomes and assist communities in need,” Cook said.

“Community is important to our club, everything we do has a central purpose around building a better community and giving back to the community that supports us.

“We thank Rural Aid for their support and look forward to a successful partnership into the future.”

For more information on Rural Aid, please click here.

The article’s credit is for the source: Geelong Cats

Rural Aid hay rolls into town

Posted on 3 May 201931 October 2023

A convoy of Rural Aid trucks pulled into the city yesterday to deliver much-needed hay to drought-stricken graziers.

The hay drop followed similar ones in Scotia and Tibooburra over the last several months, with a total of 1000 large bales of hay delivered.

The money for the fodder came from Australia Post selling “Drought Relief Stamps” and more than $200,000 was raised. 

Australia Post’s Executive General Manager of Community and Consumer, Nicole Sheffield, said many people around the country had wanted to help. 

“Last year we listened to the community a lot and everybody was saying, ‘how do we help our farmers and make a difference?’” she said.

“Partnering with Rural Aid was something that came so naturally, not just to the community and Australia Post, but for everybody, so we launched the Drought Relief Stamp, which for every $5 (stamp pack) $2 went towards bays of hay.

“I know this hay is only a tiny relief, but if it gives our farmers some relief then we feel very privileged to have done that. 

“We know that they’re doing it tough, so this hay drop is just one way that we’re trying to make it a little bit easier for them.”

Rural Aid General Manager, Wayne Thomson, said yesterday’s delivery helped show that people really do care about farmers in drought.

“It’s days like today that make it a little bit easier to get through,” he said.

“One of the messages that we want to get across from days like today is that people like Australia Post and all those involved care.

“They care about what happens to farmers and their lives and that’s so important.

“The hay is too, we need the animals to be fed, but it’s knowing that someone’s standing by you through this drought.

“We’ll continue to deliver hay until everybody in the region has got some.

“It’s about a million dollars’ worth so it’s a big investment, but we want to be able to make sure that the whole region is being supported.”

Mayor Darriea Turley thanked Rural Aid and Australia Post for the hay and said actions like this helped provide a little bit of hope. 

“I talk to farmers every day and I’ve been out across the whole Far West, and they’re doing it tough,” said Mayor Turley. 

“I don’t think anybody can understand until you talk to them and go out and help them feed.

“When you go out and do that, they talk to you about the day-to-day issues of how they’re going to keep the farm going which they inherited form their grandparents, or how they’re going to look after their kids and the expectations of that.

“But more importantly, you can see the mental health issues that they’re struggling with.

“Australia Post is delivering a little bit of hope for every farmer that gets a bale of hay and we’re very welcoming of that.”

The article’s credit is for the source: Barrier Daily Truth