Hairy replied:

Kim,
Dont know how, but Ill give you a hand.
Good call!
Cheers

Willem replied:

Hi Kim

You can add me to your list for Station or Farm Minding. I already do a bit of that in the Flinders every year.

Cheers

hopscotch replied:

Kim,

Could not agree more. I tried long and hard to get another forum worked up to help when Cyclone Larry destroyed the north and all I got was a long list of potential problems relating to insurance etc.

Refer to another post re the Australian story about the couple who are helping the bush people in a range of ways.

Do you have anything specific in mind?

We are looking to 'move out' once we have sold our house here on the Sunshine Coast.

Kevin

Member - Nobby replied:

One way to help those in need is to give them a place to stay for a holiday. We contacted a Stock/Station agent at Longreach and offered our spare bedroom to anyone that just wanted to get away to the big smoke for a break. No long term stayers, about a week at a time seems to be the norm. Usually end up with a side of mutton as well and they are certainly happy for somwhere to stay (free) as well as a bit of new company. Works for us. Nobby

pepper2 replied:

i would like to help as well

Member - Duncs replied:

I,m with Hairy on this one. I am willing to help with just about anything but I am not sure what it is I can do. If someone gets something going and wants a hadn I am more than willing to see what I can do.

Duncs

kimprado replied:

Thanks for great response guys. Very much appreciated

I have an Agricultural Officer working for me and we're having a meeting tomorrow to discuss the Idea.

Working title: Adopt-A-Farm (any other suggestions?).

In addition, I'll seek a meeting with the Victorian Farmers Federation next week to discuss the issues and ask for a list of similar organisations across Australia.

I meant to ring Bruce Campbell (Year of the Outback) today but got caught up in meetings.

We've Had success recently in having a large area on the metropolitan fringe (Melbourne) recognised by the Federal Government as a declared Exceptional Circumstance (EC) zone.

This achieved three things:

1. Drought recognition
2. CentreLink support and reduction in rates
3. Sinking of community bores

Doesn't sound a lot but it's a start.

The drought is only the tip of the Iceberg. The best way to help at this stage, is to speak to the local community and gain a sense of what is needed in your area. If you can feed that back to me it would be very helpful.

After I talk to all of the above I'll send a post within the next two weeks.

PS In my post I referred to Peter. I meant David.

Thanks once again

Regards

Kim

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) replied:

A group of us in locally in Brisy is sponsering a bloke or two out west in community services. One is an old friend of one of the group. Dave Peake at Longreach is one of these blokes.

Salvos and Uniting Church are doing a fair bit including organising help on farms. Painting, minding the place so the owners can go away for a break.
Bit of fencing, you name it, it needs doing.

look at this web site. It is a starting place.

They work in with other groups in NSW, Qld and the NT.

Site Link

Or Dave can be contacted on :

Dave Peake

Regional Manager

SU Outback Queensland



Ph. 07 4658 0471 Ph./Fax 07 4658 2856 Mob. 0427 270 125

104 Kingfisher Street, Longreach Qld 4730

outback@suqueensland.org.au www.suqueensland.org.au



"SU Queensland... bringing hope to a young generation"

Dave has started "Stock up for Hope" where people can buy or put a cow on aggistment , then be sold, and the money goes into the local communities, by being raised in the local communities out west.

Just tell him Ian and John from Moorooka sent you, and say hello.

Dave is a bit of a character, trained as a vet, joined the bikies, ended up out west now as a social worker.

Member - Ross A (QLD) replied:

kimprado, great idea. Like others on here do not know what I can do but have a fair bit of time on my hands (apart from treking) so only to willing to help out if I can.

Cheers

Rossco

blue one replied:

I'll help.

Sparky by trade though have worked through to a senior project manager's position for a builder.

Anything I can do to help just call.

Regards

blue one replied:

How about SWAG.
Support Within Australia Group.

Cheers

hopscotch replied:

Kim,

Based at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Have been thinking more about this and while I don't see us being much help in Victoria am certainly interested for the Queensland situation. From drumming up support from local 'agencies' to actually going out to farm sit or fix a fence.

Contact hopscotch@flexinet.com.au Mob 0418883609.

Kevin