Rural Aid will deliver hay to drought affected NSW regions

Posted on 21 January 201931 October 2023

With 99.7 per cent of New South Wales impacted by the drought and no immediate relief to the weather in sight, an influx of hay deliveries to drought affected areas of the state is forecast for 2019.

Rural Aid has announced hay deliveries will be made to drought-affected NSW areas this year as blistering conditions are forecast to continue throughout 2019.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) recently confirmed that help is desperately needed as large parts of western and central NSW remained in drought or intense drought categories of the NSW monitoring framework, despite some isolated storms providing some relief throughout December.

CEO of Rural Aid Charles Alder said the NSW DPI report reinforced the feedback that Rural Aid has been receiving from farmers across NSW over the past few months.

“Over 1700 farmers in NSW registered for assistance in the last quarter of 2018 and our charity has received almost 70 applications for assistance in the first week of 2019,” Mr Alder said.

“Rural Aid has commenced hay and water deliveries to many of the areas impacted, particularly in Western NSW.”

Mr Alder said in the last fourth months Rural Aid delivered over 21,045 tonnes of hay to drought affected areas of NSW and QLD. With 915 trailers transporting over 30,000 bales.

“We cannot be complacent in thinking this drought will go away anytime soon, so we ask all Australians to continue to support our rural communities,” he said.

“Regions such as Condobolin, West Wyalong and Nyngan are on the absolute top of our list and we aim to deliver to the worst affected regions like Walgett and Coonamble as soon as possible.”

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that 2018 was Australia’s third-hottest year on record, with rainfall down 11 per cent on average consequently culminating in ‘severe drought’ in the second half of 2018 in large parts of Australia.

As the long-term weather forecasts predict a torturous summer, Rural Aid’s primary focus is to support rural communities by delivering as much assistance as possible each week across New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

For more information on Rural Aid’s upcoming projects and how you can support farmers and rural communities visit www.ruralaid.org.au

Source: Western Magazine

Gabba Test to Support Drought Relief

Posted on 15 January 201931 October 2023

Cricket Australia Media Release

The Domain Brisbane Test against Sri Lanka will support Drought Relief, with the Australian cricket community encouraged to rally around this important cause.

Fans attending the Brisbane Test, as well as those watching at home, will be encouraged to support Australian communities currently experiencing drought by donating to Rural Aid throughout the Test.

Funds raised during the Brisbane Test will be used by drought relief charity Rural Aid to distribute hay bales and water to drought-stricken communities in Western Queensland and New South Wales.
 
The Gabba will come to life with activations dedicated to raising funds for Rural Aid during the match.

Woolloongabba Place will be taken over in support of the Drought Relief cause, with food vendors offering a ‘Parma for a Farmer’, with $1 from each parma sold going to Rural Aid, as well as a big screen for the cricket, and a mechanical bull.
 
With support of Alinta Energy, all water from the Pool Deck at the Gabba will be repurposed at the end of the KFC Big Bash League season and transported to the Darling Downs region for dairy cattle.
 
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Kevin Roberts said:
 
“Sport plays an integral part in the community, particularly when it is going through hardship.
 
“We’re very aware of the challenges for farmers and those living in rural Australia, so we want to do all we can to make a difference and have a positive impact on their lives through the Brisbane Test.”
 
Speaking on the announcement, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazelwood commented:
 
“I think it’s really important to raise as much awareness and funds as we can for drought relief.
 
“I’ve seen the effects it can have on a community through experiences form my hometown of Bendemeer and it can be very challenging, so I’m grateful that we’re in a position where we can help make a difference.”
 
Rural Aid is the leading drought relief charity focused on supporting the viability of rural communities across the country.
 
Over the past four months of 2018, Rural Aid has delivered more than 20,000 tonnes of hay to drought affected farmers.
 
In the event of the Brisbane Test extending to Day Five, fans will be able to gain entry to the ground with a gold coin donation to Rural Aid.

Source: Queensland Cricket

TCMF 2019: Festival straw cowboy hat to support Rural Aid

Posted on 15 January 201931 October 2023

 

FORGET cravats, bowlers and ascots – the straw cowboy hat is the only fashion accessory Tamworth Country Music Festival goers need.

The straw hat has been an icon of the festival for more than two decades, and the newest style officially launched on Friday.

For Tamworth resident Dot Ison, the festival is a touching connection to her late brother, musician ‘Gentleman’ Geoff Brown.

“He was one of the first people on Hoedown when you used to go to bed and listen to the radio,” she said.

“It always will connect me because our whole family will never stop being involved in it.”

The coloured band on the hat changes each year to reflect the chosen charity, and the hats are available for a $2 donation.

This year, a bright blue links the festival hat to Rural Aid, a charity that supports farming families in drought.

It reflects that great Aussie spirit to get in and help one another Mrs Ison said.

“We all love hats I think, it might make you look silly, it might make you look good – bad luck, $2 is not much to ask to support a charity,” she said.

Every year, more than 15,000 hats are distributed to avid fans and festival goers – for some they’re a revered collectible.

The festival hats can be purchased from Ray Walsh House or the Tamworth Toyota Dealership with all proceeds going to Rural Aid.

It’s a great way to show support to farmers in need festival organiser Barry Harley said. 

“The hats have become a symbol of Tamworth and most people when they come really look forward to getting hold of their souvenir hat,” he said.

Source: The Northern Daily Leader

A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief

Posted on 13 December 201831 October 2023

No surprises that when the announcement was made that Keith Urban would be doing a stand alone performance in Tamworth, tickets would be snapped up – and they were.

The acoustic set sold out in just minutes.

Keith Urban announced yesterday that he will give a special performance, ‘A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief,’ to take place as part of the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth at Tamworth Town Hall on Tuesday 22^nd January, the set is scheduled prior to the launch of his “Graffiti U World Tour Australia.

All ticket sales will go directly to Rural Aid,who provide a holistic support program to rural Australia, including those in NSW and most of Queensland who were hit hardest by the drought.

Tickets for the standalone benefit show are on sale NOW:
Phone: 02 6766 2028
Online: www.tamworthtownhall.com.au
In person: Capital Theatre Tamworth or The Big Golden Guitar
Limit 4 tickets per person.

An established charity, Rural Aid was formed to provide assistance for the relief of poverty, illness, distress or disadvantage of individuals and families conducting primary production businesses that have been adversely affected by natural disasters.  With record dry conditions, financial hardship brought on by the drought means money is needed for essential items.

Keith Urban said, “A no frills, no production, free form set list and all to help people who could really use it. It’s gonna be a blast playing the old Tamworth Town Hall!”

Following ‘A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief’ at Tamworth Town Hall, Urban’s “Graffiti U World Tour Australia” will begin with a sold out show at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 23, followed by shows in Sydney (Qudos Bank Arena on January 25 and 26), Canberra (GIO Stadium on January 27), Brisbane (Entertainment Centre on January 31, February 2 and 3) and Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena on February 5 and 6).

There are limited tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au for Urban’s “Graffiti U World Tour Australia” for shows not already sold out.

Source: TRIPLEM

Rural Aid Tamworth concert raises $2.8 million for farmers

Posted on 11 December 201831 October 2023