Farmers get help from Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool initiatives
FROM valuable bales of hay to financial donations, our local community and organisations are providing urgent relief for our drought-stricken farmers.
The Express
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FROM valuable bales of hay to financial donations, our local community and organisations are providing urgent relief for our drought-stricken farmers.
From Canterbury Bankstown to Fairfield and Liverpool, people are moving quickly to send food and goods to farmers and their animals.
Guests can buy bales at many clubs — to be sent via Rural Aid — and also contribute money via the donation boxes at the venues.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School students and staff have raised more than $7000 for farming families.
The Georges Hall school principal Monica Palmer said they were inspired by the Country Women’s Association of Australia to raise the money for the Aussie Helpers charity.
The money will be used to purchase feed for livestock in areas where the water shortage has affected farmers’ capacity to grow or source it.
“I recall spending much school-holiday time in Yeoval as a kid, so connect to stories of
heartache farmers experience on the land,” Mrs Palmer said.
She said they decided on the initiative after a staff member heard an interview with a farmer affected by the drought.
“Our school motto (from Saint Mary MacKillop) is ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’,” Mrs Palmer said.
“The kids know that very well and it was an amazing effort.
“Parents were very supportive.”
Year 6 student James Nakhle said the drought had limited the water and grass available to feed farm animals so they were dying.
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said council staff have been collecting money for the cause.
“We are looking to do our bit to help farmers doing it tough as a result of drought, with Council staff digging deep to raise money,” Cr Asfour said. “I also encourage residents and businesses to see how they too can make a difference, by giving generously to campaigns such as Buy a Bale, run by Rural Aid.”
Club Rivers and Club Taree are jointly collecting and providing livestock feed, cupboard stock and practical items. They are working with Rural Aid and its Buy A Bale campaign.
Club Rivers will transport the goods while Club Taree will donate up to 120 bales of hay sourced from “unused” golf land owned by them.
The clubs partnership is the classic ‘country and city unite’ story, established over a phone call between Club Rivers CEO Stuart Jamieson and Club Taree CEO Morgan Stewart.
Club Rivers features the CommuniTEAM, where giving back to community is what they strive to do each and every
day while Club Taree features the Club Taree Community Team, which operates under the
mission statement, “to use our collective awesomeness to make a positive difference in our
community through raising funds, promoting awareness, offering support and providing
welfare”.
Both clubs are named finalists in the 2018 ClubsNSW Clubs and Community Awards.
“We, like Club Taree knew that we had to do something to support our Aussie farming
families, their story is incredibly important part of the Australian Story,” Club Rivers CEO Stuart Jamieson said.
Club Taree CEO Morgan Stewart said: “We wanted to contribute in a practical sense, which would allow for genuine support to reach those in need.
“We appreciate the essence behind the country joining forces with our city counterparts, we
are all a part of the Australian community.
The campaign will conclude on Monday August 27, where members of Club Rivers
and Club Taree will unite in Taree for a community fundraising barbecue.
Bankstown Sports Club has purchased two truckloads of hay valued at $11,400. Visitors at Bankstown Sports, Bankstown Sports Bowls, the Acres Club, Birrong Sports and Auburn Tennis Club can purchase a bale of hay for $20. Proceeds from all tip jars will go to the Salvos’ rural support program.
Club Liverpool is donating $5 from the sale of each Parma for a Farmer and Bangers for the Bush meal from their bar and grill until the end of August.
Austral Bowling Club are hosting a fundraising event featuring barefoot bowls, raffles and an auction on Thursday, August 23. The money raised will be used to purchase bales of hay.