By JESSE GRAHAM
GENEROUS Healesvillians have dug deep and donated hundreds of hay bales to farmers in need, following a fire disaster that struck the top end of the state.
Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh recently called out to anyone with spare hay – or land for agistment – to put up their hands and assist livestock farmers in fire-affected towns across the state.
The call came after fires tore through the Shepparton and Gippsland areas leaving thousands of hectares of grassland charred and the local farmers reeling.
A group of about 12 Yarra Ranges residents heard the call, dug into their fodder supplies and sent off two truckloads of hay rolls and squares to the bushfire relief effort.
The hay bales were shipped out on Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 February and arrived in Lancefield, where they will be distributed to farmers in bushfire stricken areas.
Healesville resident Olga Szymiczek helped to organise the second truckload and said the decision to help donate came naturally, as a Yarra Valley local.
“We went through Black Saturday and received a lot of help from people,” she said.
“We wanted to help other people in need.”
Ms Szymiczek said that, although many people were helping to donate hay, more help would be needed.
She called on other residents to pitch in with neighbours if possible and to organise a shipment of hay for farmers in need.
“They still need hay donations, and if people can get together with their neighbours and donate, that would be great,” she said.
The truck that was shipped on Wednesday carried about 14 large hay bales and 120 squares, and was loaded by Fiona McCall and Fillip Pritchett, with help from Healesville’s Brendan Kay.
Mr Pritchett donated his truck and his time to help others, also taking the first shipment of 48 large bales to Lancefield, which was organised by Eyton on Yarra manager Andrew Egginton.
The hay donors were Eyton on Yarra, Simon and Glenda Crofts, Robb Bennett and sons, Dave Duncan, Terry from Terry’s Meats, Richard and Jenny Parker, Ben Schmolling, Olga Szymiczek, Lynda Hultgren, Steve Hollis, Jenny Reddin and Bert Rijk from The Big Bouquet.
The government is currently funding the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) to collect donated fodder and distribute it to where it is needed.
VFF president Peter Tuohey has urged anyone with spare fodder to donate to call 1300 882 833.
“Our priority is getting local donations of fodder on the ground as quickly as possible,” he said.
“We’re also seeking agistment and will be establishing a register on the VFF website identifying who, where and what is available.”
Mr Walsh said the areas of Mickelham, Kilmore, Lancefield, Gisborne, Romsey, Wunghnu, Bunbartha, Yarram, Buchan, Orbost, Bonang, Lindenow, Gifford and Morwell were all in need of assistance, with the extent of the fire’s damage still not realised.
“The total loss and damage caused by the fires is not yet clear,” he said.
“But we do know that a number of landholders have lost a large amount of pasture and it is essential they receive emergency supplies.”
All across the Yarra Ranges, people have been pitching in to help farmers in need.
For more stories of how the Yarra Valley has responded to the call for hay from bushfire devastate areas, see the Mail online at mail.starcommunity.com.au and next week’s Mail.
