Bernie Farquar, President of the Rotary Club of Mitchell River came to our Club to provide an update on Drought Relief activities and the current weather situation in East Gippsland.
The Drought Relief program is a joint project between the Rotary Clubs of Canterbury and Mitchell River, Bairnsdale. This project was commenced by Bill Grainger when he heard how much the drought was affecting East Gippsland farmers and our understanding of the need was conformed when Bill, Steve Wylie and Ted Waghorne visited the area. Using funding from our Clubs and from District 9800, families have been hosted in Melbourne and severely affected farms have been supported with grants. With the help of Leanne Jennings of the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House to identify need, some $30,000 has been put into the district. A number of further applications are being processed.
Bernie reported that whilst there had been some rain, dams were still empty. Most farms were down to a minimum of breeding stock and praying for rain. Purchasing feed, even for the remaining breed stock, was an enormous drain on their resources. Unless Spring brings decent rain relief the district will be in real strife. Farmers may walk off the land. The drought is affecting everyone in the community. The drought relief fund has provided real support and he wanted to thank the Rotary Club of Canterbury for initiating the program.
Bernie said his Club would welcome any visitors from Canterbury to Bairnsdale and suggested the dinner auction at Paynesville on Saturday 26 October this year.
It was a pleasure to have Bernie attend the Club meeting and to have made the effort to travel down from Gippsland to be with us.