People gave generously to support drought relief but the biggest donation of the lot came from the skies.
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The Fair Dinkum Farmer Fundraiser at Bletchington Public School attracted a steady stream of people on Sunday.
They braved the rain to enjoy the food, entertainment and activities.
But the biggest smiles were on the faces of farmers lapping up the wet.
Cumnock farmer Nadia Murray, who with husband Duncan, runs sheep on about 1130 hectares, was also running the Cheesecake Co. coffee and food van at the fundraiser.
It is going to be an ongoing effect for years to come.
- Nadia Murray
She said they had de-stocked “about a quarter to a half” of their sheep due to the drought.
Mrs Murray said the overnight rain would help, but much more was needed.
“Stock water is fine because we are on a creek,” she said.
“We’ve had deliveries of drinking water because we are very low on that.
“This rain will fill a few tanks up, everyone is in the same position.”
She said they had to wait for six-eight weeks for deliveries of feed for stock.
“It is just a horrible wait, you can’t source it.”
Mrs Murray said the affects of the drought would last long after it was broken as farmers would not be able to grow hay and crops through summer.
“It is going to be an ongoing effect for years to come,” she said.
“The reality is just Australia’s seasons are changing and people will need to be aware of it.”
Event coordinator Rebecca Childs organised the fundraiser on behalf of the Feed4Farmers public group and Pay It Forward.
She said the rain had not dampened people’s spirits.
“People are aware of the situation,” she said.
“The farmers are the backbone of our country.
“We need a lot more [rain] than this.”
She said people could continue to make donations for drought relief outside of Sunday’s event.
Details about how donations can be made are on the Feed4Farmers Facebook site.
Last Friday Feed4Farmers received a truck load of hay delivered by truck from Victoria after a Mornington Peninsula doctor and farmer offered about 90 bales to drought relief in the Orange region.
The truck also brought food and household supplies donated by nurses from Victoria to help farming families.
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