LOCAL farmers and transport operators are banding together to “pay it forward” to drought stricken farmers in southern Queensland.
After one of the best hay seasons in memory, Appin farmer Dale Trevorrow said the local district was well positioned to help those in need.
“This district has had the hay season of a lifetime so surely there are people around who can donate to help out farmers who are in a fair bit of grief,” he said.
Mr Trevorrow has partnered with the Chinchilla-based Drought Angels to organise a convoy of hay to Surat, about 120 kilometres north of St George in southern Queensland.
While the drought has broken in parts of Queensland, very little Summer rain and extreme heat in other areas has left some regions void of grass for stock.
Drought Angels – the initiative of Chinchilla women Tash Johnston and Nicki Blackwell – typically raises money to buy hay and other essentials, but Mr Trevorrow said they jumped at the offer of free hay, and would pay the fuel costs of all those involved in the convoy.
“There was a post on social media about these Drought Angels so I thought I would get in touch and see what the go was,” he said.
“They were amazed and a bit dumbfounded that they were getting product donated.”
Mr Trevorrow will personally donate two B-double loads of hay, while several other farmers have offered hay and trucks.
“If we can get more donations of both hay and trucks that would be great, but if we just get hay we can work out what trucks we need, because we’ve had quite a few offers of trucks,” he said.
Mr Trevorrow said he was among numerous local farmers who benefited from the generosity of others after the 2011 floods.
“There would be a lot of farmers in this district that wouldn’t have gotten through the big flood of 2011 if it wasn’t for donated hay,” he said.
“We got five loads of rolls from the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association to keep our heifers going and without that we wouldn’t have gotten through.
“Back then this area was in dire straits, and now someone else in the country is in dire straits and we’re in the position to help, so it’s just a matter of paying it forward.”
Landmark Kerang is co-ordinating donations, and can be contacted on 5452 1599. The convoy is expected to leave on March 27.
