Farmers know how harsh this drought is, many describe current conditions as the worst in living memory.
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With that in mind Leeanne Oldfield and her husband, who own farms at Wandandian and Goulburn and has been personally affected by the drought, will set off on August 27 with their son on the Nowra to Dubbo Drought Relief Drive.
Over the coming month, she will be raising funds to buy stock, which she will then tow to Dubbo, where it will be distributed to farmers in need.
“I can take up to 15 tonnes of feed, so we are hoping people donate as much money as possible to buy it all,” she said.
“My mission is at least 12 tonnes, that’s what I want.
“We will then deliver it to the Aussie Helper depot where the feed will be distributed from as far as Cobar, Scone and Tamworth.”
With the lowest rainfall in decades, farmers in western NSW are in dire straits, something Ms Oldfield understands all too well.
“I have a lot of empathy for these farmers doing it tough because I’ve had to euthanise some of my stock,” she said.
“It’s very hard to get rid of stock and it will take a few years to recover even if they do get some rain.”
According to the Department of Primary Industries, NSW continues to experience widespread agronomic drought conditions and as of June 30, 99 per cent of the state was experiencing drought.
Ms Oldfield has started a Facebook page Nowra to Dubbo Drought Relief Drive, where people can donate to the cause.
“We’ve raised more than $2000 in about three days which has been positive,” she said.
“I’ve been quite overwhelmed by the messages of support from people.
“One lady on a pension said she could only afford to donate $10 but I later checked the account and she donated $45 which was really lovely.”
All of the money raised will go toward purchasing dog food, bags of barley oats and trace element blocks for farmers in need.
“I am just one person of many who has come together to try and do our bit to help minimise some of the stress farmers are feeling on a day to day basis,” she said.
“Any donation will help me achieve this.”
As well as cash donations, people have also been welcomed to donate bags of feed.
Ms Oldfield is purchasing all of the feed from Bishops at South Nowra and said she was very thankful for their support.
For more information on how to donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/Nowra-to-Dubbo-Drought-Relief-Drive-2263180143941057/ or call Leanne on 0421 027 858.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
