DROUGHT APPEAL: People dig deep to support graziers
GRAFTON real estate agent JoJo Newby has recruited her local community to help those struggling with drought.
“Things are moving along fairly well in Grafton at the moment,” Ms Newby said.
“We’ve had a pretty good season, cattle prices are pretty good.
“We know people over the range from us are struggling from drought.
“It’s been going for five or six years now and it’s been getting harsher and harsher as the days go on.”
Ms Newby’s venture to help those in need started off on a more personal level – she pledged to donate $1000 to a drought charity for every property she sold.
“And then a lot of people came on board wanting to help,” she said.
“I think people want to help but weren’t sure how to go about it.
“So I thought I would try and start to co-ordinate something and offer up our office as a bit of a collection point.”
Over 50 local Grafton businesses have come forward offering to have have collection tins on their desks.
Ms Newby said in the three days they have had a collection tin of the desk at Farrell and McCrohon, they have raised $1300.
They have also received donations in the form of bags of feed for dogs and livestock.
“I’ve tried to do the bag of feed thing to emphasise a rural connection,” she said.
“I hope that it makes people feel more connected with what’s going on.
“I know farmers that are buying in feed and the costs of keeping their breeding stock alive is mind boggling.
“I think that it’s not so much about feeding livestock but making these farmers aware that they aren’t alone, and someone is willing to help.”
Ms Newby grew up on small farms in the Clarence Valley District.
“Both my parents are vets and have seen and dealt first-hand with the devastating effects of events like Ash Wednesday and the desolation caused by floods and droughts,” she said. “It is heart-breaking to know what these farmers are going through and the main idea
around this donation drive is to try and let them know that they aren’t alone and that we are thinking of them.”
Ms Newby said she had been overwhelmed by the generosity of her community.
“A fellow I sold a property to offered his truck to cart hay, a local hairdresser has gone down and bought 20 bags of feed,” she said.
“The local community has just been incredible.”
Ms Newby encourages people who can’t come into the office to donate, to visit one of the many drought charities that are “doing some damn good stuff”.