HELP ON THE FARM

A GROUP of about 10 Townsville veterans have become the first to complete a program aimed at helping drought- stricken farmers.

Operation Winton is a partnership between Winton farmers and The Oasis Townsville, which transports the veterans out to a farm to volunteer on rural stations dealing with a labour shortage.

The initiative was given the green light after receiving a community grant through Operation Compass.

Matthew Campbell from Hounds for Healing is one of the veterans volunteering on the farm. He served in the Army for 12 years, was discharged in 2012 and said ADF personnel could lose part of themselves when transitioning back into civilian life.

“It’s hard losing your identity and trying to form a new one, that was the biggest problem I think,” he said.

Originally from NSW, Mr Campbell said he wanted to help out.

“I’ve grown up with drought and know how hard it is on the land and I jumped at the chance to give back to those who supply our food for our country,” he said.

“It’s going to have quite a few benefits. The veterans will be doing quite physical work which straight away gets their minds working again.

“And they’re going to be taken out of the city so they’ll have time to think and slow down to concentrate on what they’re doing.”

Farmer Shane Axford grew up on the land and said the veterans would help people who were buckling from the weight of work to be done because of the drought.

“There’s just not enough people out there … it’s a win- win because you can get people out there to spruce up the house a little bit and paint the houses, make things look things and tidy,” he said.

“There’s just so much work out there, and I think there’s a need on both ends and I want to give a little back as well.

“I’ve never served. I just appreciate the fact that they like a project and get something done.”

The Oasis director Floss Foster said the grant would be used for transportation costs and food rations for the veterans.

“We’re thrilled. We’ve been working on this project for about six months trying to find the funding to go, so now we’ve been provided that through the small community grant Operation Compass,” she said.

“Townsville veterans have answered the call to serve.”