GoFundMe appeal started for Eungella dairy farmer Dale Fortescue
A community has rallied behind its “last viable dairy farmer” who was forced to pour milk down the drain when the Eungella Range was cut off after a devastating rain event.
Mackay
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A close-knit community is rallying behind its last dairy farmer, who is at risk of financial ruin after a devastating rain event cut off his milk run.
It had already been a hard year for Dale and Paula Fortescue of Eungelladale farm, who were suffering supply and sales issues before torrential rain pummelled the Mackay region.
More than 1m of rain over three days caused massive landslides, cutting access to and from Eungella, with Mr Fortescue forced to walk up Eungella Range just to get home to his farm at Broken River to help milk the cows.
Now a GoFundMe campaign has been started for the couple.
“This is much more than a small regional issue, it is about supporting our Aussie battlers who are having a go despite huge hurdles,” creator Cheryl Bousfield wrote on the appeal.
She said Eungella, in its “heyday”, was once home to more than 50 dairy farmers.
“Dale and Paula Fortescue own and operate the last viable dairy on the Eungella range,” she wrote.
“The only road suitable for trucks and cars is the Eungella range road – it suffered catastrophic damage resulting in landslips, mudslides and rock falls leaving the range inaccessible for an extended period.”
The range was initially blocked in both directions but has since been cleared enough to allow 30-minute travel windows five times per day.
These times are 5.30-6am, 7.45-8.15am, 12.30-1pm, 3.15-3.45pm and 5.30-7pm.
Outside of these hours while work is ongoing an alternate route is available via Turrawulla Rd and Lizzie Rd for four-wheel-drive and high-clearance vehicles.
“Dale and Paula were having to pour their milk down the drain, while still needing to maintain grain supplies to keep their cows alive and producing milk,” Ms Bousfield wrote.
“Grain bills have been mounting with little to no income to offset costs.
“Dale and Paula are passionate about supporting their local communities, with their unique Eungella milk produced, pasteurised and bottled on their property and then personally delivered to the Whitsunday/Mackay region.
“Any help you can provide would be immensely appreciated and could make the difference between the dairy continuing to operate … or not.”
The fundraiser has reached $2650 of a $50,000 goal from 31 donations in the four days since it was created.
For more information about the fundraiser visit here.
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