LIGHTNING RIDGE FODDER DROP
Posted by Colin Shanks
on Jun 12, 2014
With no rain predicted for the remainder of the year, the farmers and graziers in the north of the state are doing it tough in the current drought conditions. An idea of Dubbo West Rotarian Stuart Astley to donate hay to the farmers and graziers around Coonamble and Lightning Ridge saw the idea quickly grow. The plan of raising enough money to purchase at least one road train of hay was floated by Don Stephens at District 9670’s conference in March and within the week $30,000 had been promised from clubs within and to the north of the district and from as far away as New Zealand. Hearing of our effort other farmers came on board and donated their own bales of hay. With the assistance of the Rotary Clubs of Coonamble and Lightning Ridge, a local hay merchant and two transport companies from Dubbo, the project was off and running.
A few weeks ago one road train carrying 49 tonne of hay was delivered to the farmers around Coonamble and on Saturday 17 May, two road trains left Dubbo at 4.30 am bound for a farm near Lightning Ridge. The road trains, carrying a combined weight of 80 tonnes of hay, drove across the dusty, bare paddock at ‘Weetalibah’ to the welcoming party of Rotarians from Dubbo West, Lightning Ridge and Coonamble and the farming families waiting for their hay. Apart from receiving the hay, the farmers were also given bags of dog biscuits which had been donated by the Rotary Clubs of Lightning Ridge and North Rocks, while the women each received a pamper pack donated by the Rotary Club of Liverpool.
While we all know that what the farmers and graziers really need is rain, it was heart-warming to see smiles on their faces, to hear laughter across the bare dirt and to see them gathering for a long yarn. As one farmer said, the social gathering was just as important as the hay for these men and women who year in year out are doing it tough.
Our thanks go out to the many Rotary Clubs in District 9670 and from the other districts within the State and New Zealand who supported this project through their donations.
