WATTLE Range Council staff will fill more than three semi trailers with hay and travel across the state to help relieve the impacts of one of Australia’s worst droughts.
In the wake of the New South Wales Government declaring “100pc” of the state is now in drought, council has joined the massive aid effort by donating more than 75 large square bales of hay.
Council employees Dave Taylor and Daryl Smith will volunteer their time to join a convoy of South East residents organised by Phillip Bowman in transporting bales of hay to drought-stricken NSW.
The convoy will travel to Broken Hill, a return journey of more than 1600km, to deliver the hay where it will be distributed to farmers in need.
The pair was commended by Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi at last night’s council meeting, labelling the gesture as “amazing”.
“Full credit to both of those fellas who have offered to volunteer to drive to Broken Hill to deliver hay,” he said.
“All those involved in this feed drive should be praised for their efforts in helping others in need.”
However, the council workers were quick to downplay their contribution, saying it was all done “for a good cause”.
“We just wanted to help the farmers out,” Mr Taylor said.
“It is not hard to donate a bit of time and that is all we are really donating – council has the truck and all the machinery.
“The hay was baled over 12 months ago and it has been sitting there since.
“Council decided to donate some to a good cause.”
The bales have been cut from pasture grown on council land irrigated as part of the Penola Community Wastewater Management Scheme.
“We thought the hay was surplus to what we needed,” Mr Smith said.
“It could have been used at the saleyards, but council has opted to donate some instead.
“Our truck is probably going to be a small one compared to the others and we probably will not be carting as many bales as the rest, but every bit helps.”
Mr Gandolfi told elected members council would provide an additional cash donation of $1000 to the Millicent Lions Club for members to distribute to assist with fuel and transport of the hay.
“I think it is a good community effort and I hope councils throughout the state consider a similar contribution,” he said.
“If all Australian councils contributed $1000, that would be more than half a million dollars towards drought relief.”
