Crucial supplies: More than 1100 bales of hay were donated to local farmers who have been impacted by flooding. Photo: Bransen Gibson
Farmers from around Rochester have received much needed assistance, with truckloads of crucial supplies brought into the town as part of a Farmers Community Connect event last week.
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A total of 1150 bales of hay and 320 bags of ryegrass seed arrived at Rochester Recreation Reserve on a convoy of trucks last Wednesday, December 14, with 92 farmers collecting the essential provisions the following day.
The supplies were an early Christmas present for farmers, many of whom are still feeling the impact from the devastating floods that swept across the region in October.
Hay and seed were not the only things people were able to pick up on Thursday, with free food and drink also provided.
Burgers, barista coffee, soft drink, water and even Krispy Kreme doughnuts were on the menu on Thursday, with appreciative residents tucking in.
Welcome sight: Trucks carrying bales of hay roll into Rochester last week. Photo: Bransen Gibson
Photo by
Bransen Gibson
Support services were also at the event, with representatives from Services Australia, the National Centre for Farmer Health and Rural Aid in Rochester.
The event was organised by the Rapid Relief Team, a charity made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
The 30 volunteers came from far and wide to help in Rochester. Some were from Nathalia and Shepparton, while others travelled from as far away Goulburn, Sydney and Brisbane.
RRT operations manager Mick Dunn was in Rochester, and said the event was a chance to give back to farmers.
“Farmers have done it tough over the past few years, as they’ve battled through a long-standing drought, bushfires and now to the other end of the extreme, floods,” Mr Dunn said.
Flood relief: Campaspe Shire Councillor Paul Jarman, Rapid Relief Team director Lester Sharples, Campaspe Shire Council community development officer Lachlan Cozens, Cr Colleen Gates, Cr Rob Amos, RRT director Ron Arkcoll and RRT volunteer Brenton Pederick at the Farmers Community Connect event in Rochester last week. Photo: Bransen Gibson
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