Each year Frontier Services runs its annual Great Outback BBQ drive which encourages Australians to host their own fundraising barbecues in support of our farmers.

National Director of Frontier Service Jannine Jackson said it is crucial to utilise the ease of COVID-19 restrictions to host the fundraisers as there 'has never been a more challenging period in history for Australian farmers and their rural communities'.

"Dealing with the pandemic has had a profound impact on our farmers. Not only are many of them still suffering through worst drought in history, but they've also lived through the worst bushfire season on record, and we've also seen unpredictable weather with flooding in other areas," she said.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been the 'triple whammy' for farmers."

"The financial, emotional and mental health repercussions have been devastating and the pandemic has made providing the support and services so sorely needed by our farmers and their communities even more difficult."

The money raised from the barbecues enables Frontier Services to continue to provide two support programs - Bush Chaplaincy and Outback Links.

The Bush Chaplaincy program has chaplains visiting individuals and families on remote properties for a coffee and a chat, and according to Mrs Jackson they are often the frontline for identifying issues and referring people to other service providers.

Outback Links connects volunteers with people in remote Australia who could use a helping hand. These volunteers donate their skills throughout the year doing repairs and maintenance on equipment, the home and around the property - free of charge.

Cobar farmer, Kevin, who didn't want to give his last name, said his mental health started to decline during the drought as he watched his livestock helplessly suffering from the dire conditions.

"If it weren't for the help from Frontier Services, I wouldn't be here today," he said.

"Running cattle and goats on the station through the drought meant we constantly worried about being able to feed and water the livestock. We had no feed whatsoever, and virtually no water. Being on the farm during a drought can also be extremely isolating, so it was nice to be around the volunteers from The Bush Chaplaincy program, hearing their stories was an added bonus to the practical help they bring."

To register to host a Great Outback BBQ visit https://greatoutbackbbq.rallybound.org/Account/Register.

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