Help drought-affected families in rural NSW and Queensland enjoy Christmas
By Kristin Romanis
Every Christmas, Brian and Nerida Egan and their team of volunteers play Santa to families who are severely affected financially, emotionally and spiritually by the worst drought in Australia for over 100 years. Aussie Helpers' Christmas food hampers and gifts help transform Christmas from a bleak and depressing time to one of joy and celebration for these families.
In August 2006, the NSW and Queensland Departments of Primary Industry declared 92% and 65% of their respective states in drought. In addition to the lack of rain, crops, feed and money, the Toowoomba Chronicle recently reported that people on the land have been hit with rise after rise in the cost of fuel, fodder, feedstock, labour and insurance as well as increased interest payments and water charges.
Aussie Helpers' founder Brian Egan describes the situation in Australia's rural
communities as 'an unfolding human tragedy'. He has experienced this tragedy
firsthand, losing his own farm in the 1990s due to a combination of drought and
personal depression.
Brian and his wife Nerida established Aussie Helpers in 2002 to help alleviate poverty and to lift the spirits of families severely affected by drought in Queensland and New South Wales. "From what we saw around us and what we heard from people in the bush, we felt that no organisation was doing anything significant to help families suffering the effects of the worst drought in living history," said Brian.
Aussie Helpers works via the 'bush telegraph' to find farming families who are in desperate need of assistance. Aussie Helpers has given away over 150 tonnes of groceries and over 600 tonnes of stock feed and has assisted over 1,000 families – all done by committed volunteers. When asked people's reactions to Aussie Helpers' support, Brian responds with just one word: "Overwhelmed!"
Aussie Helpers is driven by three words: 'Care, share and respect'. "Aussie Helpers care about people in need and will share whatever assistance they have available free of charge and will give the recipients the utmost respect and confidentiality," Brian explained.
Bernadette, a third generation grazier, said of Brian: "He doesn't need the 'impact study' or the university survey to 'discover what people need'. He just opened his eyes, and heart, and gave exactly what was necessary."
Aussie Helpers is widely known and respected in the bush for its generosity and compassion to others.
Simon and Leonie Brown live at Barrajong Station, Wanaaring, 250km north-west of Bourke, NSW. Aussie Helpers has assisted them over the past three years by donating hay, fodder and lick supplement for their declining number of cows and sheep. Simon said: "The fodder has been a great help because, as we have no feed in our holding paddocks, we are able to spread the fodder out for the cattle to eat while we are mustering them in to wean them. The hay and the lick are also used to feed the weaners for a few days to let them strengthen up a bit before the 600 km truck ride to market."
Aussie Helpers has also donated countless boxes of food and household items. "As the drought drags on, it gets harder to keep food on the table as any spare cash goes into keeping our stock alive," said Simon. "It is such a big lift to our spirits to see the Aussie Helpers' vehicle drive in as it makes us realise that we are not the only ones with the drought problem and that somebody cares enough to put in the huge amount of effort required to deliver this assistance to us. It is also great to have a cuppa and a yarn with somebody different and they always have a gift or bag of lollies on board for our two daughters which is something they do not often get and is hugely appreciated."
Aussie Helpers' Bush Christmas Appeal has a huge impact on its recipients. Simon recalls:
"Aussie Helpers donated gifts to all the local children at the Wanaaring Christmas party last year, which brought lots of smiles (to) the kids' faces as Santa handed out the presents."
Gai Early, an Aussie Helpers' volunteer, was responsible for distributing hampers and gifts in Cunnamulla, Queensland, during Christmas 2005. "We sorted out several generous food hampers which were delivered to families who would benefit, particularly those with young children, foster kids or in very poor circumstances. We then wrapped all the presents, and these were distributed to those most needing a little extra. I lost count of the number of gifts, but we used about 10 metres of gift wrap. We told everyone that this was just something extra for their Christmas from Aussie Helpers," said Gai.
"I had a wonderful Christmas knowing that I had been instrumental in helping others, and feel both humble and privileged to have had the opportunity to do this," Gai said. This December, Aussie Helpers will deliver Christmas food hampers and groceries, and toys and clothing for children 0-18 years of age to small, isolated towns such as Mungallalla, Amby, Morven, Muckadilla, Jundah and Stonehenge in Queensland and Tibooburra, White Cliffs and Wilcannia in NSW.
Aussie Helpers raises all of its own funding by running two thrift shops in Dalby and Charleville in Queensland and by seeking donations. Support Aussie Helpers' annual Bush Christmas Appeal or their ongoing Drought Relief Appeal. You can even sponsor an Aussie Working Dog! Sponsorship money goes towards repairs to station homesteads, assistance for outback families to access dentists in regional centres and a one-week holiday on the coast to lift the morale of outback families after the isolation and desolation of the terrible drought.
Aussie Helpers needs your help … Please dig deep to help rural Australians in need!
More information
Donate online at www.aussiehelpers.org.au, call 1300 665 232 or post your donation to Aussie Helpers, PO Box 405, Charleville QLD 4470.
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