Bangalow, a small town in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, has decided to adopt Bingara in an effort to assist drought-stricken farmers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In just over a week the community has rallied together to collect non-perishable food items, stock feed, cash and other essential items.
On Sunday, a convoy of vehicles made the almost six hour trip south-west to Bingara to deliver their first collection of donations.
But why Bingara you may ask? Bangalow’s Chamber of Commerce president Jo Millar answered that very question.
“A lady by the name of Lisa wanted to do something to raise funds for farmers in drought and got a hold of me.
“I met with her and said ‘we need to find a specific town to assist rather than taking a scattered approach’ and she agreed,” she said.
Jo contacted a produce store in an area media outlets had focused on during their drought coverage and was pointed in Bingara’s direction.
“The chap told me they were already getting a bit of help but said there was a small place quite a distance away that desperately needed drought assistance,” she said.
And although she’d never heard of the beautiful banks of Bingara, she phoned Gwydir Shire Council to have a chat about the idea.
The phone call ended on Friday, August 10 and nine days later the first convoy had arrived.
“We set up a Facebook page and I sent out an email to all members of the chamber asking them to spread the word. Lisa had a list of people willing to donate and before long the whole community was involved.”
A specific fundraising account was set up by the Chamber of Commerce, and among various donations from the school, individuals, farmers and businesses there was plenty for the convoy to lug.
Jo said whilst in Bingara on Sunday, she felt extreme gratitude from those who benefited from the first lot of donations.
“The gift for us is in the giving. We are not living in that situation and even though it is dry here, no way in any stretch of the imagination are we in drought.
“In a quiet, country way we know these people are extremely grateful for what we are doing,” she said.
Farming families around Bangalow have jumped on board, allowing balers to slash their paddocks for stock feed which will be sent to Bingara.
Jo said farmers in the area understood, better than anybody, what drought actually means when farming livestock.
Committing for the long-term, Bangalow will adopt Bingara for as long as they are needed with organisers focused on the next delivery.
“There is no point in us coming once and I know our help is just a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed but we will continue helping.”
Jo hoped that the millions of dollars collected through various funds for drought-stricken farmers would get to people on the ground quickly.
However she felt it was unfortunate the Australian government wasn’t making farmers a priority.
“It should be a priority to provide people with the help they need to keep farms operational. It’s unfortunate that it has been left up to Australian people but we will continue to do all we can,” she said.
Donations can be made through the Bangalow Chamber of Commerce bank account. BSB: 728728 Ac no: 22321405.