Feed Central’s LocalAg started the appeal after Condah farmer Graham (Thommo) Thomson was fined $398 by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) for moving two bales of hay across a dirt road to help a fellow farmer during the drought.
The appeal has met its goal to help Thommo with all further donations going to the National Centre for Farmer Health at: https://farmerhealth.org.au/
Feed Central managing director Tim Ford said Thommo had appeared as a guest on a recent Feed Central podcast and was well-known across Australia.
“Thommo’s story has gone viral, and although he didn’t expect the attention, he wants to use it to make a positive impact on the industry he’s worked in his entire life,” Tim said.
“We’ve started this GoFundMe page on Thommo’s behalf to raise funds for his court case and to support a mental health initiative for farmers doing it tough.
“Thommo is choosing to contest the fine in court because he believes that, after more than 60 years in the industry, helping a neighbour feed their livestock shouldn’t be penalised.”
Tim said Feed Central’s LocalAg established this fundraiser to help cover legal costs and to help in making the voices of farmers heard.
At Thommo’s request, any funds remaining after court costs will be donated to farmer mental health.
Thommo said he had been heartened by the level of support in the community and for the GoFundMe appeal.
“I’m very happy with the response to the appeal and with the amount of support I’ve got. I’ve been told it’s even made the BBC news in England.”
His main priorities now are to inform all farmers about the transportation rules and to help farmer mental health during the ongoing drought.
“A lot of farmers don’t know that it’s a rule that you can’t transport hay across the road so the government needs to advertise it,” he said.
The GoFundMe page is at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thommo-fight-his-fine-for-moving-hay-in-a-drought
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