Gippsland growers lead hay convoy to the Western District

Orbost farmer Peter Henderson helped contribute to a convoy of hay sent into the drought-hit Western District. See why he wanted to donate.

Orbost farmer Peter Henderson has helped lead a hay convoy to the Western District, returning the favour after the fires devastated his farm in 2019-20.

Mr Henderson, who also farms at Gelantipy, said he remembered receiving fodder after being burnt out by fires.

“We lost a house and a hay shed at the time,” he said.

He said the supply of fodder was something that he wouldn’t forget.

So he recently did his best to pay it forward and return the favour.

Peter Henderson of Orbost remembers being the recipient of fodder. Recently he helped to repay the favour.

Together with other farmers in the community, he recently rallied up 400 large round bales of both hay and silage and had them delivered to drought-hit farmers in the Western District.

“The hay from here went to Colac and Camperdown,” he said.

At an estimated $300 a bale minimum, Mr Henderson said it was a heartening donation from the community.

“We all met at the Numeralla Showgrounds and the local hotel fed all of the truck drivers, there was also a coffee van that gave us all coffee and breakfast,” he said.

Mr Henderson worked closely with Ray Akers, who was the coordinator of the Gippsland Hay Relief drive as an extension of his role with the Heyfield Lions Club, which supported Aussie Hay Runners.

“All of the hay went to individual farmers who needed it most,” Mr Henderson said.

He said it was good to see a “green tinge” returning from recent rain in the Western District, but there was still a severe shortage of feed he said after the visit to the area in June.

“The exercise was a hell of a morale booster, and people are extremely grateful,” he said.