The bush needs help and your support

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 21:55
ThreadID: 43900 Views:2353 Replies:12 FollowUps:4
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I've had a quiet time today without any work pressure (almost got the Nuclear Power Station Report finished).

In a moment of reflection, it occurred to me this is a very powerful web site with a lot of keen participants. Without getting political, much of the experience displayed on the site could be channelled into assisting the areas we visit.

I had a lot to do with the Year of The Outback some time ago with Bruce Campbell and the programs that organisation delivered. A lot of very good outcomes have seen value given back to local communities.

It would be interesting to see if Oxploroz would consider a volunteer section on this web site to assist people in the bush.

In Victoria alone, we have people in dire conditions who have pretty much lost everything in this drought (not to mention the fires) and walking off the land.

I've talked to many of these people and walked away trying to contain my emotions. The hardest hit, are those with a very long heritage. This also applies to many other arears within Australia.

If your interested in helping, send a post and I'll talk to Peter about it.

Regards

Kim

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Reply By: Hairy - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 22:49

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 22:49
Kim,
Dont know how, but Ill give you a hand.
Good call!
Cheers
AnswerID: 231120

Reply By: Willem - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 07:00

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 07:00
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
AnswerID: 231145

Reply By: hopscotch - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 07:57

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 07:57
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
AnswerID: 231152

Follow Up By: kimprado - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 20:25

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 20:25
Kevin

Been there done that. There will be no Incorporation. The program will be undertaken under the umbrella of local communities.

Once you start getting involved in committees, Bulltish takes on a whole new meaning. In my experience, the community must take ownership of any program otherwise it won't work.

I understand your frustration, but learn from the experience and don't give up.

Many thanks for your Interest

Regards

Kim

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FollowupID: 492206

Reply By: Member - Nobby - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 08:32

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 08:32
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
AnswerID: 231159

Reply By: pepper2 - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 14:35

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 14:35
i would like to help as well
AnswerID: 231244

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 16:48

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 16:48
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
AnswerID: 231269

Reply By: kimprado - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 18:52

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 18:52
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

AnswerID: 231291

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 19:39

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 19:39
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.

AnswerID: 231301

Follow Up By: kimprado - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 20:01

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 20:01
Thanks for that

I'll give him a ring tomorrow. Let you know the outcome.

Regards

Kim
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FollowupID: 492198

Reply By: Member - Ross A (QLD) - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 21:43

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 21:43
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
AnswerID: 231333

Reply By: blue one - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 20:31

Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 20:31
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
AnswerID: 231501

Follow Up By: kimprado - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 21:11

Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 21:11
Thanks Blue

We were going to have a meeting with the State reps tomorrow, but that has been cancelled because the Minister wants to be involved in the rural funding discussions. In some ways this is good because it allows me to come to the table well prepared over the next two weeks.

I had a think about the working title (Adopt-a-Farm). On reflection this sounds dumb and condasending. Any Ideas?

Regards

Kim
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FollowupID: 492470

Reply By: blue one - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 06:50

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 06:50
How about SWAG.
Support Within Australia Group.

Cheers
AnswerID: 231576

Reply By: hopscotch - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 22:59

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 22:59
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
AnswerID: 232082

Follow Up By: hopscotch - Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 at 19:52

Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 at 19:52
Kim,
Just a follow up note to let you know that wife and I have registered as volunteers with Frontier Services a division of the Uniting Church which has padres covering most of the outback. Should be taking ourselves off about 2nd week in June.

outbacklinks@bigpond.com

Thanks for the push.

Kevin
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FollowupID: 497559

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