Communities unite to aid farmers

Wimmera pubs and eateries have thrown their support behind a tasty campaign to raise money for drought-stricken communities.

The ‘Parma for a Farmer’ drive has struck a chord with businesses and consumers keen to help provide relief for farmers doing it tough.

Pubs, cafes and other eateries across Australia are using the humble chicken parmigiana to raise money for campaigns including Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale, which provides tangible resources such as stock feed, money and volunteers communities.

Businesses are providing $1 or more from every ‘parma’ sold throughout August to help struggling farmers, primarily in New South Wales and Queensland.

Great Western Hotel owner Bruce Achow said his pub had taken the ‘Parma for a Farmer’ challenge one step further.

On Friday, the establishment introduced a ‘Farmer Parma’ to its menu.

“A whopping $5 from every one purchased will be donated to the Lions Club of Australia’s Need for Feed to drought-affected campaign for the rest of the year,” Mr Achow said.

He said he felt compelled to use his business to help farmers in need.

“No one likes seeing anyone struggle, especially our farmers,” he said.

“Farmers can control so much of their operations, but the most important ingredient of farming, they can’t. It must be devastating.”

Mr Achow said the community had responded to the pub’s Farmer Parma with gusto.

“We are absolutely floored with the amount of support this has already received,” he said.

“More than 70 Farmer Parmas were ordered over the weekend, with people travelling from Ballarat and Horsham just to show their support.

“The donation jar on the bar also had more than $100 in it over the weekend. In just three days we raised almost $500.”

Other pubs across the Wimmera have also jumped on the campaign trail. A portion of profit from parmas at Stawell’s Gift Hotel, St Arnaud’s Farmer’s Arms, Dooen Hotel, and Victoria hotels in Horsham and Dimboola will go to Buy A Bale, while the Patchewollock Hotel will donate $1 from every schnitzel, scotch fillet or parma to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners. The pub every dollar raised.

Other businesses are also doing their part, with Bunnings Horsham hosting a drought-relief sausage sizzle on Friday. Proceeds will go also to Buy a Bale. People can visit www.buyabale. com.au for more information or to make a donation.

Along with hay, money also goes towards diesel, water and supermarket hampers.

• Know of a business participating in a Parma for a Farmer campaign? Message The Weekly Advertiser on Facebook or call the office on 5382 1351 to let us know. will also match