By Casey Neill
Rotarians and Yarra Valley farmers have now sent 120 hay bales to drought-affected farmers in East Gippsland.
The Mail reported on 21 August that the Rotary Club of Lilydale was sending 78 bales of hay to Bairnsdale plus $6000 in grain and fuel vouchers.
President Ron Haines said that with help from the Rotary Club of Healesville and Yarra Valley farmers, that number had grown to 120 bales.
“The Rotary Club of Lilydale has also donated a further $6000 for grain and fuel vouchers, with several transport companies donating their trucks for transportation of the hay – this has been a huge saving.”
The Rotary Club of Bairnsdale is co-ordinating the donations, which have reached farmers in Orbost, Buchan, Marlo, Cabbage Tree and Orbost.
Mr Haines received a report from Bairnsdale Rotary secretary Gillian Reeve that the donation had been warmly received.
“As Gillian stated, the extent of the drought cannot be underestimated as some farmers have now run out of feed and they now see some of the cows walking away from their calves due to lack of feed,” he said.
“Farmers are dealing with no feed, cattle starving, drought conditions, and the mental health issues that all go along with this.”
Call Mr Haines on 0412 252 344 to support the relief effort.
“Every dollar we receive goes directly to the farmers in East Gippsland,” he said.
