Hay convoy to drought stricken farmers
By Past Commodore, Paul Pascoe
South Australia is currently in the worst drought in recorded history as is the Western District of Victoria. Feeding their stock has exhausted farmers own supply of hay and with floods in NSW there is a critical shortage of hay up and down the east coast. Last week I was privileged to be part of a mega trip to WA to pick up hay and deliver direct to affected farmers in South Australia after doing a similar, albeit smaller run to the area around Camperdown the previous week.
The WA trip was organised as a partnership between local charity, Need for Feed, and a similar charity organistion in WA, Farmers across Borders, and funded by the South Australian Government to the tune of two million dollars. Between the two organisations there were 6401 large bales of hay, transported by 85 road trains (not 85 semis but 85 road trains!!!) from Bindi Bindi just north of Perth. The convoy of volunteer drivers was split into four groups of 21, each travelling 30 minutes apart to minimise disruption to other traffic as much as possible. At overnight and fuel stops local charities and community groups provided meals for the 100 plus people on the convoy and the event was covered by all the major media outlets nationally. Government transport agencies such as Main Roads, NHVR and the Police in each state all assisted in closing the roads as the road trains entered and exited the various stops.
Even this amount of hay is a drop in the bucket for what is really required, but as much as anything it is a boost to the mental well being of communities to know that they are not alone and they have the support of other Australians. A great initiative to be a part of, and becomes quite emotional even for harden truckers as people come out on the streets in support as the convoy travels through each small town.
If you would like to donate for future runs, please go to needforfeed.org.
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To read about the two organisations involved:
