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Helping those hit hardest by drought is not as hard as you think

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JUST six weeks ago Cassandra McLaren and her husband Peter found themselves with no choice but to sell 44 of their cattle.

Conditions on their 370ha property Kilwirrin at Merriwa in the Upper Hunter haven’t been this bad since they took over the property 27 years ago.

“We needed to cull pretty hard,” Mrs McLaren said.

“On a Monday arvo, we drove up the driveway behind a double-decker semi-trailer and my daughter asked ‘what’s this big truck here for?’

“I told her we needed to sell the cattle as we couldn’t keep them or feed them., and she became quite upset”.

That night the 49-year-old posted her thoughts on her private Facebook page and after being encouraged by friends, started her own Facebook page a few days later to help those also struggling with the drought conditions.

Today, the One Day Closer to Rain page has more than 14,000 members.

Farmer Cassandra McLaren started the One Day Closer to Rain Facebook page six weeks ago, which already has 14,000 members.

Farmer Cassandra McLaren started the One Day Closer to Rain Facebook page six weeks ago, which already has 14,000 members.Source:News Corp Australia

“The page is about trying to keep things positive and supportive,” Mrs McLaren said.

“I just wanted to say to people ‘watch out for each other and speak out’.

Despite doing it tough themselves — having sold off two-thirds of their stock just to keep their farm going — Mrs McLaren said there were others doing it even tougher

“Sometimes it’s the little things that break the camel’s back, like budgeting all the time and counting your pennies,” she said.

“There was one woman on the site who talked about eating only two-minute noodles because she needed the money for feed.

Conditions at the McLaren family’s property Kilwirrin in Merriwa were once lush.

Conditions at the McLaren family’s property Kilwirrin in Merriwa were once lush.Source:News Corp Australia

Today, the family has been forced to sell off cattle to keep on top of things.

Today, the family has been forced to sell off cattle to keep on top of things.Source:News Corp Australia

“Even those with jobs are finding it hard because they just don’t have that disposable income”.

Mrs McLaren’s page took its name from a saying her husband always said when asked by people how they were doing.

“He’d always say ‘we’re one day closer to rain’,” the mother-of-four said.

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DROUGHT SPECIAL: EDITORIAL – THE HELP OUR FARMERS NEED

Devastating reality of drought in NSW

Aerial view of Keith Wood's property 100km west of Moree. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Aerial view of Keith Wood's property 100km west of Moree. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Sheep on the farm of James Foster, 90km west of Walgett, pictured eating anything they can find on the side of the dirt road. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Road kill near Walgett on the barren land. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Dry cracked ground in Walgett as parts of NSW battle through one of the worst dry spells in history. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Emus looking for food on the farm of James Foster. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Eve Holcombe, aged 3, pictured on her father's 6900 hectare property near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Peter Holcombe, 32, Eve Holcombe, 3, Finn Holcombe, 2 on their dry land near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
The Holcombe family are struggling through a massive drought. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Finn Holcombe, 2, on his family’s dry land near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
James Foster owns 13,354 hectares, 90km west of Walgett. He has been bulldozing trees for his 2500 merino sheep. Has been on the farm for 56 years but is getting ready to sell. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Aerial view of wandering sheep looking for food at James Foster's property, 90km west of Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
James Foster has nine days of hay to feed his sheep left and isn't sure what he'll do after that. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Aerial view of Keith Wood’s property 100km west of Moree. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Aerial view of Keith Wood’s property 100km west of Moree. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sheep on the farm of James Foster, 90km west of Walgett, pictured eating anything they can find on the side of the dirt road. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Images of drought ravaged north west NSW as the area battles through one of the worst dry spells in history. Road kill near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Paddocks near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Road kill near Walgett on the barren land. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Dry cracked ground in Walgett as parts of NSW battle through one of the worst dry spells in history. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Emus looking for food on the farm of James Foster. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Eve Holcombe, aged 3, pictured on her father’s 6900 hectare property near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Peter Holcombe, 32, Eve Holcombe, 3, Finn Holcombe, 2 on their dry land near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Holcombe family are struggling through a massive drought. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Finn Holcombe, 2, on his family’s dry land near Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

James Foster owns 13,354 hectares, 90km west of Walgett. He has been bulldozing trees for his 2500 merino sheep. Has been on the farm for 56 years but is getting ready to sell. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Aerial view of wandering sheep looking for food at James Foster’s property, 90km west of Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

James Foster has nine days of hay to feed his sheep left and isn’t sure what he’ll do after that. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Aerial view of Keith Wood's property 100km west of Moree. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“And I really hope we are because at what point do you say you can’t do it anymore.

“When we moved here 27 years ago, we had no stock. None at all and we built it all up from nothing.

“And it’s terrifying that we now might be finding ourselves back in that position.

“That’s really scary”.

The site was quickly swamped with people offering their support — from supporting a local farmer selling eggs outside of Coles store in Tamworth or helping source hay.

There was one woman on the site who talked about eating only two-minute noodles because she needed the money for feed.

This week the site has started connecting farming families struggling to purchase formal dresses for their daughter’s school graduation with those wanting to donate dresses.

They have also teamed up with four charities — Rural Aid Australia, Drought Angels, Lions Need for Feed, and Aussie Helpers — who are all working directly with farmers.

How you can lend a helping handSource:The Sunday Telegraph

RURAL AID AUSTRALIA

Money, food and time are what is desperately needed, Rural Aid Australia co-founder Tracy Alder said.

“We need money to be able to buy bales of hay for farmers and to be able to load up gift cards that can be spent in the local community.

TV personality Grant Denyer will MC a fundraiser for Rural Aid Australia in Bathurst next month.

TV personality Grant Denyer will MC a fundraiser for Rural Aid Australia in Bathurst next month.Source:News Corp Australia

“We also need volunteers for farm rescues, where we take a group of tradespeople to farms to finish jobs that have just become too costly for the farmer.

“We recently just returned from rebuilding a shearer’s shed at Walgett,” Ms Alder said.

“Giving back is one of the most amazing feelings, when you are out there at the farm speaking to the farmer and hearing their story. It’s very humbling for some people to receive that sort of help.”

Rural Aid Australia will hold a Black Tie and Boots Ball at the Bathurst Goldfields, Mount Panorama, Bathurst on Saturday August 11, MCd by TV personality Grant Denyer.

Source: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/helping-those-hit-hardest-by-drought-is-not-as-hard-as-you-think/news-story/c89a4e9e418ed8b09a30c35e1fbebc77 

Rural counsellors to help central west producers

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From July, 1, Rural Aid Counsellors will be distributed across NSW with the aim of helping farming families.

The counsellors will based in Dubbo, Broken Hill and the Hunter Valley areas.

“Those counsellors will go farm to farm and will work with farmers and families to not only help manage and build resilience but also provide assistance to them with referrals to financial counsellors, marriage counsellors or whatever else it might be,” said Rural Aid founder Charles Alder.

“And just be a conduit in the community. A person who will live in the community for a number of years and be widely recognised.”

Mr Alder said farmers don’t necessarily put their hand up for help, so they’ve got to come to them.

“The big issue for us is actually coming to see these farmers, not necessarily waiting for the farmers to come to us because they wont.. we’ve got to go to them,” he said.

“If we can help farmers communicate better with their families, if we can reduce the onset of Domestic Violence or stress, and save them from divorce then we’ll be able to… help families get through this.”

Mr Alder said the Rural Aid counsellors will even be able to organise for farming families to have a holiday.

“It may just be the thing that they need mentally to help them get through,” he said.

Another program that the Australian charity has formed is Farm Rescue, which takes volunteers and tradesmen to help fix infrastructure that farmers do not have the skill, time or money to do themselves.

In 12 months they have visited western NSW including Coolah, Duneedoo and the Pilliga.

If you would like to volunteer or wish to nominate a farmer in need of help visit www.farmrescue.com.au

“If we can’t provide the feed to your farm, but we can come out and paint the place for you, or clean the gardens or house… those are some of the things farmers put off…,” Mr Alder said.

“It lifts spirits… surroundings are an important thing for people in their lives.

“Just a fresh coat of paint on your place can give you a pride and you are now welcoming your friends back to your place.”

Since April and through to October, Farm Rescue will be making these trips at least one week a month, Mr Alder said.

“At the moment we’re looking for a retired builder to help us out as a volunteer to help us out and coordinate some of these trips,” he said.

Source: https://www.westernmagazine.com.au/story/5492887/rural-counsellors-to-help-central-west-producers/

Help southern Southern Tableland farmers survive the drought

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Bega District News, Bombala Times, Braidwood Times, Crookwell Gazette, Goulburn Post and Yass Tribune have joined forces with the charity Rural Aid and its Buy A Bale campaign to help southern NSW farmers as they fight to survive the challenging conditions. 

These Fairfax Media mastheads have also united with sister newspapers across the state to launch a petition which urges the state government to do more for drought-stricken farmers. 

Want to help? Click here for more details. 

More than 74.8 per cent of the South East is in drought or at the onset of drought, while the remaining 25.2 per cent is considered borderline, the NSW government’s Combined Drought Indicator shows.

The indicator looks at pasture growth, soil moisture and rainfall. 

The region includes the Hilltops, Upper Lachlan, Wollongong, Wingecarribee, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Goulburn, Mulwaree, Yass Valley, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Eurobodalla, Snowy Monaro Regional and Bega Valley local government areas. 

Read More

Southern Tablelands on watch  as most of the state no edge 

Farm tracker to give government “full impact” of drought

Drought onset worry

Big dry bites at Braidwood

Queanbeyan Palerang classified as drought onset following low rainfall

Take a look at the South East

DROUGHT: 74.8 per cent of the South East is in drought or at the onset of drought, while 25.2 per cent is considered classified as watch. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 DROUGHT: 74.8 per cent of the South East is in drought or at the onset of drought, while 25.2 per cent is considered classified as watch. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 

The unfolding situation has left paddocks full of dust, water resources dry or drying up and fodder being sourced from as far as South Australia at exorbitant freight costs.

Managing Editor NSW South Kim Treasure said the Fairfax Media mastheads had united to help make a difference.

“Farming is such an important part of regional NSW. We are partnering with Rural Aid to help the farmers who have been hit hard by the drought,” she said.

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder said hay trucks were already being organised to bring some relief to drought-stricken farmers. 

 

Braidwood from the air. Picture: Darryl Fernance.

Picture: Emma Muirhead, Merriwagga.

 
 Drought in southern NSW
 

“Rural Aid’s drought program Buy a Bale has swung behind the dire need of farmers in southern NSW and will over the coming weeks work to provide the assistance these farmers are calling out for,” he said. 

We need the people and companies of southern NSW to get behind our work and help us buy the hay and water we need to supply,

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder

How can you help?

Donate to buy hay, water and groceries

Click here to make a donation that will help buy hay, water and groceries for farmers in need. 

Funds raised for groceries will be used to buy gift cards at the farmer’s local supermarket. That way, the money raised for southern NSW will go back into the local economy.

Money put towards water will be spent locally while hay will be sourced from outside the region and transported to farmers because of a lack of supply.

Want to get involved at work?

Pop money in a barrel, or help fill a hay truck

 

Take on the challenge at work and see how far you can go. 

Click here to register to receive a donation barrel.

Click here to order a hay truck poster and gradually fill a load of hay for a farmer. 

Businesses can also sponsor a truck load of hay. Sponsorship money will flow into the Hunter account and be put towards supplies. 

Click here to sponsor a truck load of hay

How you can support Western NSW farmers fighting the drought

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Western NSW farmers are battling a crippling drought and they need your help to survive it.

The Daily Liberal, Western Magazine, Narromine News, Nyngan Observer, Wellington Times, Central Western Daily Parkes Champion Post, Forbes Advocate, Mudgee Guardian, Lithgow Mercury, Young Witness and Cowra Guardian have joined forces with the charity Rural Aid and its Buy A Bale campaign to help Western NSW farmers as they fight to survive the challenging conditions. 

The Buy A Bale Western NSW campaign will raise money to buy hay, water and groceries for farmers in need through an online portal.

Options to help include registering for a donation barrel, gradually filling a load of hay for a farmer with a hay truck poster, and, sponsoring a hay truck. 

Money raised will go to western NSW farmers. Funds raised for groceries will be used to buy gift cards at the farmer’s local supermarket. That way, the money will go back into the local economy.

These Fairfax Media mastheads have also united with sister newspapers across the state to launch a petition which urges the state government to provide more help to drought-stricken farmers. 

Want to help? Click here to register for a copy of the petition and obtain signatures.

More than 95 per cent of the Central West is in drought, or at the onset of drought, according to the state government’s Combined Drought Indicator. The system looks at rainfall, soil moisture and pasture growth. 

The remaining 4.5 per cent is considered borderline and is likely to dip towards drought given the current forecast. 

This area includes the Coonamble, Warren, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Narromine, Parkes, Forbes, Weddin, Bogan, Lachlan, Weddin and Western Plains local government areas.

Take a look at the Central West in March 2018:

DROUGHT: The Central West in March 2018, according to the NSW government's Combined Drought Indicator. Source: NSW government.

 DROUGHT: The Central West in March 2018, according to the NSW government’s Combined Drought Indicator. Source: NSW government.

 

Now, take a look at the central west in June 2018:

DROUGHT: 95.5 per cent of the Central West is in drought or at the onset of drought, and 4.5 per cent is considered borderline. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 DROUGHT: 95.5 per cent of the Central West is in drought or at the onset of drought, and 4.5 per cent is considered borderline. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 

It’s a similar story in the Central Tablelands where 64.8 per cent of the region is in drought and 35.2 per cent is at the onset of drought. 

This area includes the Cabonne, Orange, Blayney, Cowra, Mid-Western Regional, Bathurst Regional, Lithgow and Oberon local government areas. 

Take a look at the Central Tablelands:

DROUGHT: 64.8 per cent of the Central Tablelands is in drought and 35.2 per cent is at the onset of drought. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 DROUGHT: 64.8 per cent of the Central Tablelands is in drought and 35.2 per cent is at the onset of drought. Source: NSW government Combined Drought Indicator.

 

The unfolding situation has left paddocks full of dust, water resources dry or drying up and fodder being sourced from as far as South Australia at exorbitant freight costs.

 
 

YEOVAL: John, Brooke, Chris, Thomas and Jack Haycock on their farm, which has been in their family for six generations

Oberon. Picture: Brayden Gilmore

 PHOTOS: The drought hitting hard in western NSW
Images which showcase the struggle our farmers are facing
 

Managing Editor NSW South Kim Treasure said the Central Western Daily and other Fairfax Media mastheads had united to help make a difference.

“Farming is such an important part of regional NSW. We are partnering with Rural Aid to help the farmers who have been hit hard by the drought,” she said. 

Farming is such an important part of Western NSW. We are partnering with Rural Aid to help the farmers who have been hit hard by the drought,

Managing Editor NSW South Kim Treasure

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder said hay trucks were already being organised to bring some relief to drought-stricken farmers. 

Buy A Bale truck on its way to a drought-stricken farm

“Rural Aid’s drought program Buy a Bale has swung behind the dire need of farmers in Western NSW and will over the coming weeks work to provide the assistance these farmers are calling out for,” he said. 

We need the people and companies of Western NSW to get behind our work and help us buy the hay and water we need to supply,

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder

Buy a Bale needs your help to deliver hay

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Buy a Bale needs your help to deliver hay.

The organisation has been inundated with hay which they are over the moon about but now it’s a matter of getting it to the farmers who need it the most. There are 65 to 70 truckloads with 1500 – 2000 bales of hay that need to be delivered as soon as possible.

Buy a Bale’s CEO Charles Alder says if they can get 3 or 4 truck drivers they will be able to deliver 6 or 7 loads to the Hunter each week.

“Demand at the moment is outstripping supply and we are now having to hunt for other parts of NSW for hay and we will obviously need these truck drivers to deliver that hay as well,” “The more truck drivers we’ve got the faster we can move it.”

“It [the drought] hasn’t gotten any better over the last 10 to 12 weeks. We have been able to supply feed but they’ve pretty much gone through it all so we need to find more assistance. We really need to find ways of helping these farmers offload what cattle they can while prices are reasonable so we can get just the bare bones of looking after the most important ones,” said Charles.

“Unless it really seriously rains it is almost too late now and the weather in the next few days is going to be quite harsh. We aren’t going to see any pasture growth and whatever cattle we have left on the farms will have to feed for the next 4 -5 months and not only is that going to get more expensive but it’s going to get harder to find hay.”

If you can help deliver hay or you need assistance visit www.buyabale.com.au or call 1300 327 624 Image credit: Grant Broadcasters/Jessica Rouse

Source: https://www.2nm.com.au/news/local-news/75945-buy-a-bale-needs-your-help-to-deliver-hay
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