The Penrith Panthers’ connection with rugby league in the western area is well known but on Friday the NRL club showed it cares about much more than matters on the field.
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Dubbo juniors Isaah Yeo and Kaide Ellis were on hand as the Panthers announced it will donate a total of $200,000 to The Big Dry Drought Appeal, supporting drought-stricken farmers facing severe hardship in central west NSW.
The donation consists of a $100,000 contribution from Panthers Group and a $100,000 commitment from Panthers Rugby League.
The Big Dry Drought Appeal was launched by Fairfax Media and Macquarie Media in aid of the Buy A Bale program, which provides much-needed supplies and support to farmers affected by the drought.
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As a Dubbo boy and someone who does get to his home region on a handful of occasions throughout the year, Yeo knows just how severe things are out west.
“I was fortunate enough to talk to some family members out at Carinda a couple of weeks ago to see how they’re travelling and obviously they’re doing it very tough,” he said on Friday morning, alongside animals from Colo High School’s farm.
“They’re trying to keep upbeat as possible but when you’ve got no feed and you run out of that and you’re having to outlay money to keep the livestock it’s really tough, and that’s what they’re having to do.
“It’s their livelihood and all they know, the farm, so when it is going poorly because of Mother Nature it is tough on them. Fortunately enough they’re staying upbeat and positive and still have money to put in but that will dry up.
“But at the moment they’re like everyone else and just hoping for rain. I know some people who, if it gets to September without any rain, they’re in some strife so hopefully it is soon.”
Yeo described the donations and the work being done to help out as “massive” and “much-needed” given the fact some farmers are being forced to put livestock down due to the inability to feed.
The NRL club’s bond with the central west runs deeper than players, with Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher hailing from Coonamble.
He said the donation was the least the Panthers could do given some in the state’s west are facing the harshest conditions seen in 60 years.
"Panthers has always shared a strong affiliation with central west NSW given the significant number of players who have emerged from the region to pull on the Panthers jersey,” he said.
"While our donation will make a small difference for the farmers doing it tough, we hope it helps draw attention to the critical need for further assistance."
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The Panthers club has also thrown down the challenge to other NRL sides, stating the need to donate even $10,000 to help out those who are struggling due to the ongoing dry spell.
The Panthers’ presence in the western area is a permanent one due to the fact there is the Panthers Bathurst licensed club while the side is also playing one NRL game a season at Bathurst’s Carrington Park until at least 2028.
The club also runs academy programs in Dubbo, Bathurst and Forbes, lends a hand in the coaching of the Western Rams representative sides and also fields teams in the annual Country Championships.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
