Aussie Hay Runners: Maree Wilson helps fellow farmers in need

Maree Wilson dedicates her time and energy to carting hay to proud farmers in desperate need, and has seen enough to know farmers aren’t “whiners”.

Maree Wilson is a nominee in the Shine Awards, a partnership between The Weekly Times and Harvey Norman. If you know a rural woman who makes a real difference to her community or industry, and whose story deserves to be told, nominate her in the form below.

Maree Wilson is the epitome of the resilient farmer: generous, honest and open.

Along with juggling the responsibilities of managing a mixed farming operation near Springhurst in northern Victoria with her husband, Nathan, Maree dedicates her spare time to organising hay runs for farmers in need through charitable group Aussie Hay Runners.

Having worked with Aussie Hay Runners for several years, Maree connects farmers in need to hay and fodder supplies in times of crisis, sometimes going with her husband to deliver loads.

But she has a humble take on her involvement in the organisation, despite the many hours she dedicates on the phone to the task of coordinating hay, the trucks to cart fodder and drivers to get supplies to farmers in desperate need.

“My role is on the sidelines. I’ve supported Aussie Hay Runners, and just spread the word, trying to get hay out to places where it’s needed, in times of flood and fire,” she said.

In the past year, Maree and Nathan have helped coordinate runs across northeast Victoria, with about 1000 rolls of hay per run.

Her charitable deeds go a long way to making a difference to farmers who have been hit hard by the past year’s floods, but it also has an effect on Maree, as the relentless nature of natural disaster takes its toll emotionally.

Maree Wilson, along with her husband, Nathan, work hard to deliver donations of fodder and hay to farmers in need during times of crisis. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“It’s very emotional,” Maree said.

“For some of these people, we were the first people they see, especially after a bushfire or something like that, and they just sort of break down. It’s really confronting for us, just seeing the scale of the devastation and these people, whose whole lives have just been destroyed.”

While farmers are known for their resilience, Maree said it was important to educate the general public about the realities of farming, and not only engage with the agriculture community during times of crisis.

“We’re always portrayed as whiners, which I don’t think is the case because a lot of us are really proud people, and don’t accept handouts and donations,” Maree said.

“It’s the boom and bust nature of agriculture. But sometimes it’s the only way we can survive.”