A monster cheque and a drought aid bounty (right to left) from Ben Fordham of Radio 2GB, Bob & Pete Mac of Smith MSM, John Honan of Manildra Group and Lachie Graham of Argyle Meats.
With the extreme heat and lack of rain now producing the worst drought on record in parts of Queensland and NSW, farmers, community groups, agricultural companies and the federal government are teaming up to provide vital aid and relief.
Manildra Group and MSM Milling have joined forces to contribute an ”unrivalled” $600,000 to the “We’re For the Bush” Drought Appeal, which is now close to $1.5 million in donations.
Both companies have mills in some of the state’s worst-hit drought areas, including Manildra, Narrandera, Gunnedah and Nowra
The money has been donated to help farmers in NSW who are “struggling to survive on more than 45 million hectares of NSW currently in drought,” and it’s a chance for Manildra Group and MSM to return the support that regional farmers have given over the years.
“Since 1952 farmers have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the Manildra Group,” says managing director John Honan.
“We believe it is important to give back and support the people who support us.”
“It’s tough for many, many people at the moment,” MSM Milling’s Bob and Pete Mac Smith remind us. “Most producers are handfeeding livestock, have been forced to buy fodder and cart water for their animals, and they’re struggling to pay bills and put food on the table for their families.”
The Drought Appeal funds are being used to distribute supermarket and retailer gift cards to the Salvation Army, which is responsible for allocating them to needy farming families.
By Derek Maitland
image; courtesy of The Land.