Flood, drought-affected Singleton farmers get helping hand
Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is in Singleton, New South Wales, for a week of flood recovery and drought response works.
Twenty-eight volunteers are donating a week of their time across seven Hunter Valley farms as part of the Rural Aid Farm Recovery Event.
Dairy farmer Jason Cousins has a team of Rural Aid volunteers on his property, who are helping to repair his flood-damaged fences.
“It means a lot to me to just have that bit of assistance to get jobs done… We’ve had so much on our plates, getting over the floods,” the Singleton farmer said.
“When you start getting emotional because of sad times, it slows you down.”
John Warlters, Rural Aid CEO, said the last eighteen months had been particularly tumultuous for Hunter farmers.
“Farmers like Jason endured five floods over the space of nine months in 2022,” Mr Warlters said.
“It’s takes years of courage, good luck, and hard work to get over knocks like that.
“Unfortunately, these farmers don’t have years to recover; Singleton has been plunged into drought, less than a year since floods swept the region1.
“It’s a difficult time for these producers, but as always, Rural Aid is standing with our mates in the bush as they face their next battle,” Mr Warlters said.
In addition to volunteer support, Rural Aid is also coordinating water tank deliveries, counselling appointments, and hay drops in the Hunter region.
“We’re seeing huge local demand for our assistance measures like hay, water and counselling,” Mr Warlters said.
“The Hunter is one of the driest farming regions in the country right now.”
Also lending a hand to the region’s farmers are eight Commonwealth Bank of Australia employees, who are volunteering their time on-farm this week.
Commonwealth Bank’s General Manager Regional NSW, Vanessa Nolan-Woods said, “Many communities across New South Wales have been impacted by floods and extremely dry conditions and Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Week is one of the ways we can help provide some support to local farmers in the Hunter Valley area.”
“We’re proud to be able to contribute to the vital work Rural Aid is doing to support communities affected by natural disasters – whether that’s delivering hay, support with groceries and bills, or counselling – Rural Aid is doing a lot to support farmers and we’re proud to partner with them.”
The Singleton Farm Recovery Event runs from Monday, 30 October to Friday, 3 November.
The Rural Aid volunteers are staying at the Singleton showgrounds, where dinner catering is provided by generous local organisations and charity groups.
1 https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-landing/ssu/nsw-state-seasonal-update-september-2023
About Rural Aid
Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au
For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid Media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.
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