Support 'too little, too late'

Edwina Robertson is on a mission to spread the awareness of the drought in rural Nsw and Qld.

ON THE ROAD: Photographer Edwina Robertson and her dog, Jordie, are spreading awareness of drought-stricken communities. Picture: Edwina Robertson

IN THE past week the drought in rural Queensland and NSW has been at the forefront and photographer Edwina Robertson has been one of the driving forces with her One Bucket campaign.

The campaign is aimed at helping city people understand what drought means to rural communities.

"One Bucket is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about the drought and inform urban communities about what is happening in rural communities right now,” Ms Robertson said.

"A lot of people are pretty out of touch with what is happening and, because there hasn't been much mainstream media coverage until now, we are trying to bridge that gap,” she said.

Ms Robertson, who is on the road between Dubbo and Nyngan, explained that every day it was getting harder for people experiencing drought.

"The desperation is growing and it kills me when I go to see a family and you can see the stress, anxiety and fear because they can't get help.

"They have used their life savings, re-mortgaged their house and are on their last few weeks of fodder,” she said.

"What people see in the media and on TV is different to real life because you can feel the emotion of people and you can't feel that in a photo on social media.”

Edwina also described the support the government was providing as "too little, too late” and said a prepaid fund needed to be put in place for people to access during these critical circumstances.

"We need to keep the message relevant, make an impact and encourage people to assist and donate in these next crucial months,” she said.

"This drought won't end overnight.”

With NSW being the focus of drought coverage in the mainstream media, Ms Robertson said it did not take away from suffering in rural Queensland.

"Queensland has been in drought for five to six years and they had to make the tough financial and emotional decisions three years ago to de-stock and that is a hard time.

"Now NSW is in that position and that is why it is possibly harder for them now because they are experiencing what Queensland did three to four years ago.

"This drought is equally hard,” Edwina said.

"It's not just rural families and graziers, it's small-town businesses as well. They are hurting just as much.”

Originally published as Support 'too little, too late'