Rural Aid brings Eugowra community together, one year on from floods

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Australia’s most trusted rural charity has provided a night of joy for the flood affected Eugowra community, one year on from the catastrophic flooding event that swept the town. 
 
Rural Aid last Friday hosted a free community BBQ at the Eugowra Showgrounds, attended by more than 150 locals.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the small central west town was still in the grips of disaster recovery. 
 
“Understandably, the deadly flash flood is still having a huge impact on Eugowra and its surrounds,” Mr Warlters said. 
 
“Tragically, two Eugowra locals died in the flood. Approximately one third of the town’s population had to be airlifted from their roofs.”
 
“Now, these brave locals are determined to rebuild their homes, their farms, their roads, their fences.”
 
“It was Rural Aid’s honour to host a community BBQ to give this hard-working region a ‘night-off’,” Mr Warlters said. 
 
Local musicians provided entertainment and a dozen support agencies provided face-to-face assistance. 
 
“Rural Aid has been helping central west farmers long before last year’s flood, and we’ll continue to be here for them long after,” Mr Warlters said. 
 
“Through hay drops, financial assistance, wellbeing counselling, volunteer expeditions, water deliveries, and community events, Rural Aid has proudly stood with central west farmers when they’ve need us the most.”
 
Rural Aid’s efforts in the ongoing recovery of the region have been boosted by generous business partners. 
 
Newmont Cadia is a proud supporter of Rural Aid, and in turn farming families and communities.
 
Cadia General Manager, Tom Lukeman, said Newmont was proud to be the funder of two fodder drops in the region, the first at Merriwa and the second at Tullamore.
 
“The communities where we live, work and play mean everything to us, which is why we have been focused on supporting the local community to help fast-track its recovery. 
 
“As well as assisting with the initial response, teams from our workforce have helped with community projects at Eugowra, Cudal and Molong this year.  This has included repainting the Cenotaph in Eugowra and most recently, a garden and nature space project at Eugowra Public School,” Tom said. 
 
To register with Rural Aid, or to make a donation, visit: https://buyabale2023.ruralaid.org.au/

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 

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