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West Australian
a day ago
- Climate
- West Australian
WA truckies have successfully delivered almost 6000 bales of hay to farming families across SA on mercy dash
WA's historic hay run has successfully delivered almost 6000 bales of hay to drought-affected farming families across South Australia. The 86-truck mercy dash broke records when it departed from Fraser Range Station on the Nullabor on Friday, bringing practical support and hope to farmers battling ongoing dry conditions. The powerful grassroots effort driven by Farmers Across Borders and Need for Feed was both organisations' biggest interstate convoy to date. More than 400 farming families — and roughly 450,000 livestock — benefited from the delivery which aimed to ease financial pressure and protect the wellbeing of both livestock and farmers. Since establishing in 2019, Farmers Across Borders has delivered 15,000 donated bales of hay across New South Wales, Queensland and WA to those in need — making this run of 6000 bales a mammoth effort for the volunteer-run organisation. The South Australian hay run was more than double the size of Farmers Across Borders' Australia Day hay run record in 2020, when 20 trucks delivered 2000 tonnes of feed to 60 stations across Gascoyne and Murchison. 'We've had an incredible team of volunteers, generous donors, and essential support from both states,' she said. 'We're proud to stand beside South Australian farmers in their time of need.' Truckies and their support crews travelled more than 1300km to reach the assembly point in Wudinna on July 26 before splitting off to various drop off locations within the State. Four waves of road trains made the trek in 30-minute intervals, departing Fraser Range around midday on July 25 after a delay due to freak weather including 100kmph winds. To put it into perspective, if the convoy was to line up back-to-back, it would cover 5km of road. There were both tears and cheers as the convoy rolled into the quarantine checkpoint at the border, after witnessing the welcoming committee of locals on arrival. Countless farms across the state have been in the grip of devastating drought with many areas having recorded record-low rainfall over the past 12 months. According to data from the Bureau of Meteorology, the Mid North and upper Eyre Peninsula were the the worst affected. Widespread heavy rain fell across SA this week and will continue to fall in the coming days however, livestock were still being hand-fed daily and farmers were exhausted. The continued rainfall and donated hay boost have alleviated some of this difficulty. SA Primary Industry Minister Clare Scriven said the run was 'one of the biggest we've seen' to South Australia and brought the number of farmers helped since the start of 2025 to almost 2000, including dairy farmers. South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association president Robert Brokenshire said without the support, many farmers would have had to dry their cows off or sell them which would have resulted in a milk shortage across the State. The Herculean effort was supported by 'top-notch' pit stops along the way — including the communities at Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, Ceduna and Wudinna — as well as multiple support services, hundreds of volunteers and fuel subsidy support from the SA government. SA's drought support Commissioner Alex Zimmerman met the convoy at Wudinna and offered support on the ground. A mammoth journey:
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
West Australian farmers launch relief convoy for drought-stricken South Australia
It has been dubbed the "convoy of compassion". Eighty-five trucks, loaded with more than 6,000 bales of hay and straw, have begun the trek across the Nullarbor, headed to drought-stricken parts of South Australia. The massive logistical exercise is a project between charities Farmers Across Borders and Need for Feed, with support from the South Australian government. The fodder has been sent to support 400 farming businesses and feed 450,000 head of stock. The trucks have been loaded across Western Australia's agricultural heartland over the past seven days. At Kulin, 300 kilometres east of Perth, farmer Michael Lucchesi said the 1,000 bales coming from his property were good quality. "It's export quality. It was some of the first stuff we bailed last year and we got a bit more than what we needed," he said. "We got a phone call and it was available and I thought, 'Well, might as well give it to someone that needs it.'" It was the first time Mr Lucchesi had been involved in a hay run but he said it was something close to his heart. "We've been there, probably 15 years ago," he said. Co-ordinating more than 80 trucks, obtaining permits across two states, and ensuring the convoy could travel along one of Australia's major national highways without disruption has been a feat of organisation by truck driver Peter Warburton. While it had been trying at times, Mr Warburton said knowing the difference the fodder would make on the ground made it worthwhile. "Logistically, we've been probably five weeks in doing this," he said. "I did the main roads permits here in West Australia and then permits in SA. Rob Gill, from Narembeen, has also donated his time to drive a truck in the convoy. He said keeping everyone on the road safe was a top priority. "Going over there's up to 90 trucks," he said. "They'll put them in groups of 20 or 21, thereabouts, so there's not 80 or 90 trucks all in one [group]," he said. "[The safety considerations are] especially for people with cars when they're trying to pass." The charities involved have also reached out on social media to other groups of road users to alert them of the convoy and instruct them of the signage and communication plans they have in place to ensure road safety. The convoy is a financial feat as well — with trucks to run, fuel to pay for, mouths to feed, and accommodation to book. Justin Williams has taken time off work to be involved. "I thought I'd just get a little gap to come help out," he said. "The first few times I missed it, but this time around I got a chance so I thought I'd jump on it, just be a part of it." Fellow volunteer Michael Young said seeing the impact of the drought firsthand made him keen to help. "A friend of mine that's been on the run a couple of times rang me and I said, 'We're straight in,'" he said. "It will be just nice to help out and do our little bit for our fellow farmers." Farmers Across Borders president Sam Starcevich said she had lost count of how many hay runs she had done since becoming involved in 2014. She said the convoy was her third trip "across the paddock" to do a hay run over the Western Australian border. Recently relaxed biosecurity laws in South Australia have enabled other states, including Western Australia, to export hay from green snail-free areas. "It's well and truly over half-a-million-dollars worth of hay, and then the fuel is probably three times, four times that amount," Ms Starcevich said. The impressive trip has been met with one further hurdle at the last stop in Fraser Range before making the journey across the border. Damaging winds reached 100 kilometres per hour as a storm rolled across southern parts of the state, delaying the convoy's plan to leave in the early hours of Friday. Nonetheless, Ms Starcevich hoped they would be able to get to farmers by Sunday. "It's crazy weather isn't it," she said. Despite the massive undertaking, Need for Feed chairman Graham Cockerell said the convoy still would not meet all requests for assistance the organisation had received. The charity had been sourcing hay from across the country, going as far as northern New South Wales to provide relief to the most drought-stricken parts of South Australia. "We've got about 450 [requests], and this will get to about 300," he said. "We know people who have de-stocked to a large extent, and they're pretty desperate trying to hang onto their breeding stock.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
The trucks hauling the generosity of strangers into a green drought
Look closely and you'll see the green is no more than a thin shroud laid upon what, just a few weeks ago, was bare earth. Empty paddocks stretch away. Hard-pressed farmers have de-stocked, unable to afford to feed their animals. But where sheep still graze, their noses are pressed to the ground, their jaws working hard at drawing poor sustenance from the skimpy new growth. Cattle can't get their tongues around the mirage of grass. They stand defeated, waiting to rush the next expensive delivery of hay or grain. Here is a paradox: a green drought. As winter came and rain fell, satisfaction at dams filling was curbed by farmers' knowledge that the weather's long-awaited turn was a hoax. After crushing months of the familiar form of dry – the gasping paddocks turning to dusty parchment – the rains came too late, too far into winter's chill to stimulate anything but phantom growth. Venture out into these sham green plains of pain and you might come across convoys of trucks loaded with hay – great rolls of it, or big square bales stacked high. Loading The convoys haul from far away to try to help farmers battle through to spring, when that counterfeit green pick might transform into useful sustenance and debt-wearied land-holders might find the confidence to start rebuilding their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. The momentousness of the convoys is that as the cost of hay and grain reaches to the moon, leaving many farmers despairing of making it to tomorrow or ever recovering, the trucks are supplying their loads of hay for free. The trucks that ground their way to Camperdown last Saturday night brought loads from as far distant as northern NSW worth half a million dollars. All of it, including the cost of running the trucks and fuel, was at no cost to farmers. The gift was arranged by the charity Need for Feed Australia, a project of Lions Clubs. It was established during southern Australia's worst big dry on record, the millennium drought from late 1996 to 2010. About halfway through that long agony, a fellow named Graham Cockerell was rocked to read that three farmers a week were taking their own lives. When he was just 11 years old, he suffered the pain of his own father's suicide on the family's farm. His father, like many others, had simply found himself in circumstances he couldn't control, and couldn't see a way out. Cockrell decided he wanted to try to save other families from experiencing his family's depths of anguish. And so he arranged to fill a small truck with hay, and he sent it to East Gippsland farmers burnt out in the drought-fuelled fires of 2006-2007. Since then, with the support of Lions Clubs all over the place, Cockrell's idea grew into Need for Feed, which became well-known for providing aid following the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. Since then, Need for Feed, run totally by volunteers who give their time, trucks, fuel and fodder, has turned up regularly to help communities brought low by Australia's most familiar catastrophes: droughts, floods and fires. It estimates it has provided more than $45 million of assistance so far. Other organisations, like Aussie Hay Runners, do the same sort of thing. Only a couple of weeks ago the Hay Runners ran a convoy of donated hay from East Gippsland to areas around Colac and Hamilton in south-west Victoria. The motive behind this generosity? Five years ago, when Western Victoria's farmers were having a good season, they arranged to send truckloads of hay to help out East Gippsland farmers burnt out in devastating bushfires. Knowing about suffering, East Gippsland's farmers decided last month it was time to return the help they had received. In just three weeks, they gathered trucks and hundreds of donated hay bales and set out in convoy from Orbost. Elsewhere, another disaster relief charity, BlazeAid, raised enough money to cover the freight costs of hay coming from Queensland to western Victoria. Governments, of course, provide disaster relief, too. But in a drought, the Victorian government doesn't hand out money for fodder, arguing such a subsidy would send the price of hay and grain spiralling out of reach of farmers everywhere. And so, good-hearted people of the land, who know firsthand the torment of seeing their animals starving and families falling into despondency and worse, have taken the weight upon themselves to try to alleviate some of the suffering. It will never be enough, of course. As climate change forges on, the need for both immediate assistance and long-term innovation towards resilient, sustainable farming can only become more urgent. For the moment, however, it seems worth knowing that in a world as grim as ours, the old urge in country Australia to help out strangers in need – and let's call it loving your neighbours – has not surrendered.
The Age
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The Age
The trucks hauling the generosity of strangers into a green drought
Look closely and you'll see the green is no more than a thin shroud laid upon what, just a few weeks ago, was bare earth. Empty paddocks stretch away. Hard-pressed farmers have de-stocked, unable to afford to feed their animals. But where sheep still graze, their noses are pressed to the ground, their jaws working hard at drawing poor sustenance from the skimpy new growth. Cattle can't get their tongues around the mirage of grass. They stand defeated, waiting to rush the next expensive delivery of hay or grain. Here is a paradox: a green drought. As winter came and rain fell, satisfaction at dams filling was curbed by farmers' knowledge that the weather's long-awaited turn was a hoax. After crushing months of the familiar form of dry – the gasping paddocks turning to dusty parchment – the rains came too late, too far into winter's chill to stimulate anything but phantom growth. Venture out into these sham green plains of pain and you might come across convoys of trucks loaded with hay – great rolls of it, or big square bales stacked high. Loading The convoys haul from far away to try to help farmers battle through to spring, when that counterfeit green pick might transform into useful sustenance and debt-wearied land-holders might find the confidence to start rebuilding their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. The momentousness of the convoys is that as the cost of hay and grain reaches to the moon, leaving many farmers despairing of making it to tomorrow or ever recovering, the trucks are supplying their loads of hay for free. The trucks that ground their way to Camperdown last Saturday night brought loads from as far distant as northern NSW worth half a million dollars. All of it, including the cost of running the trucks and fuel, was at no cost to farmers. The gift was arranged by the charity Need for Feed Australia, a project of Lions Clubs. It was established during southern Australia's worst big dry on record, the millennium drought from late 1996 to 2010. About halfway through that long agony, a fellow named Graham Cockerell was rocked to read that three farmers a week were taking their own lives. When he was just 11 years old, he suffered the pain of his own father's suicide on the family's farm. His father, like many others, had simply found himself in circumstances he couldn't control, and couldn't see a way out. Cockrell decided he wanted to try to save other families from experiencing his family's depths of anguish. And so he arranged to fill a small truck with hay, and he sent it to East Gippsland farmers burnt out in the drought-fuelled fires of 2006-2007. Since then, with the support of Lions Clubs all over the place, Cockrell's idea grew into Need for Feed, which became well-known for providing aid following the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. Since then, Need for Feed, run totally by volunteers who give their time, trucks, fuel and fodder, has turned up regularly to help communities brought low by Australia's most familiar catastrophes: droughts, floods and fires. It estimates it has provided more than $45 million of assistance so far. Other organisations, like Aussie Hay Runners, do the same sort of thing. Only a couple of weeks ago the Hay Runners ran a convoy of donated hay from East Gippsland to areas around Colac and Hamilton in south-west Victoria. The motive behind this generosity? Five years ago, when Western Victoria's farmers were having a good season, they arranged to send truckloads of hay to help out East Gippsland farmers burnt out in devastating bushfires. Knowing about suffering, East Gippsland's farmers decided last month it was time to return the help they had received. In just three weeks, they gathered trucks and hundreds of donated hay bales and set out in convoy from Orbost. Elsewhere, another disaster relief charity, BlazeAid, raised enough money to cover the freight costs of hay coming from Queensland to western Victoria. Governments, of course, provide disaster relief, too. But in a drought, the Victorian government doesn't hand out money for fodder, arguing such a subsidy would send the price of hay and grain spiralling out of reach of farmers everywhere. And so, good-hearted people of the land, who know firsthand the torment of seeing their animals starving and families falling into despondency and worse, have taken the weight upon themselves to try to alleviate some of the suffering. It will never be enough, of course. As climate change forges on, the need for both immediate assistance and long-term innovation towards resilient, sustainable farming can only become more urgent. For the moment, however, it seems worth knowing that in a world as grim as ours, the old urge in country Australia to help out strangers in need – and let's call it loving your neighbours – has not surrendered.
Herald Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Backroom Baz: Bev McArthur, Nicole Werner learn fate over poo prank stunt
You get slapped with a ban on bringing guests into Parliament House. So found out Liberal MP Bev McArthur who caused a stink after she was referred to the parliament's privileges committee, alongside Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner, amid allegations they helped organise the gift wrapped cow patty to be left at Jacinta Allan's office in protest to the government's new fire services levy. Baz is told the matter has now been settled, with no further action to come, and the only sanction was that which was slapped on McArthur – nothing for Werner. Not that it had much of an impact, McArthur just used party room chums Moira Deeming and Joe McCracken to sign guests in on her behalf, meaning all was well in Bev's world and she could hold court at lunch as anyone who has frequented one of the parliament's cafes knows she so loves to do. The ban runs out at the end of the month. Premier avoids the plunge but chips in for great cause Baz loves seeing pollies get along, particularly when they are as ideologically opposed as the Nationals and the Greens. Political staffers, business figures, journos and a host of MPs from across politics gathered in the parliament gardens for the spectacle in support of MP Emma Vulin, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease. While couch-bound Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth pulled out at the last minute, 11 other pollies from all sides of the chamber were left shivering and shaking after the epic dunking. The inaugural FREEZE Parliament event was a huge success, with donations surpassing the $50,000 target before the dunkings even started. Despite Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's best efforts, Strictly Ballroom star turned Labor MP Paul Mercurio snatched the fundraising crown by just $300, bringing in $11,000 out of a total $56,000. Premier Jacinta Allan declined a dunking but was among the top donors, chipping in $1000, alongside former Labor MP Philip Dalidakis. Maybe she'll take the plunge next year? Great Debate pits pollies against journos Spring St's newest annual event, the Great Debate between pollies and journalists, returned for the second time this week. And it was bigger and better than last year's inaugural event. Parliament's legislative assembly was packed to the rafters on Thursday to see the unlikely coalition of MPs Gabriellie Williams, Jade Benham and David Hodgett, take on the ABC's Raf Epstein, the AFR's Sumeyya Ilanbey and 3AW's Tom Elliott arguing that MPs should be replaced by AI versions. Singing speaker Sammy J made a comeback as adjudicator, with thousands raised for Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers. The media team took home the cup this year. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, health minster Mary-Anne Thomas and Nationals leader Danny O'Brien were among a host of MPs turning out to support the event. Secret Service makes their mark on Spring St It's not often you see the United States Secret Service marching around Spring St. They briefly took over the hallways this week during a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who was in town to strengthen business ties, and tout her state's industry sectors. Sources close to Premier Jacinta Allan said the pair hit it off, 'like a house on fire'. Hardly surprising, ahead of their meeting Whitmer tweeted about her plans to build affordable housing all across Michigan 'revitalising communities and helping more families make it in Michigan.' Right up JA's alley. Baz will be keeping watch to see which homes get built faster. Regional revolt against Premier from the regions She might be a Premier from the regions, but that hasn't stopped the regional revolt against Jacinta Allan. Complaints about her government's tardy response to the drought crisis alongside the threat of the new fire services levy- which has been paused for 12 months but will increase fees for farmers by up to 200 per cent in some cases if resumed next year – have made her somewhat of a target regionally. Take the Willaura Bakery in western Victoria, where the Premier has been unceremoniously banned. Which means no award-winning vanilla slices for her. Locals say the slices are the best in the state. Don't they all say that? Guess who? Which minister quietly celebrated their 40th birthday this week? Overheard 'I loathe laziness and those who are just intellectual pygmies.' – Finance Minister Danny Pearson attacking shadow treasurerJames Newbury.
