There is almost nothing more important in the minds of our farmers at the moment than the crippling drought that has consumed farms across NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The drought hit home in a personal way to local couple Sarah and Rob Bunt while they were watching television a few weeks ago and saw the familiar faces of Justin and Kate O’Brien from Tottenham, a small town west of Parkes.
“Justin was Rob’s best man when we got married and both families have formed a close friendship.” Mrs Bunt said.
“To see him on the TV, saying he was at his wits end, not knowing how he was going to feed his family – it broke our hearts. We knew we had to do something.”
The couple put the word out that they were collecting donations of food and whatever people could spare to help their friends and were overwhelmed by the support they received from the Harden Murrumburrah community.
“Trinity Catholic School got behind us, and people donated boxes and boxes of dry goods. In fact we filled two cars to the point that we could not fit another thing in.” Mrs Bunt said.
“We made the trip to Tottenham the weekend before last, and the drive was heartbreaking. The paddocks that used to be lush and green are now dirt.”
“We stopped off in the town to buy perishables, because the businesses out there are suffering as well. We also bought some gift vouchers at the supermarket, to help tide them over.”
Mr and Mrs O’Brien are now distributing food and vouchers to their neighbours to share the support offered by the Harden Murrumburrah community.
“We know this is only a short term band-aid to a long term problem, but anything that helps to ease the pressure, even for a short time is so appreciated.” Mrs Bunt said
“I can’t thank everyone in the Harden Murrumburrah community enough for the donations they have given us to help. It makes us so proud to belong to such a caring and compassionate community.”
Anyone who would still like to make a donation to drought relief should contact the Harden CWA’s Deidre Farrell on 0418 644 108.