Free holiday for farmers impacted by drought
Initiative needs charity to run with the concept
FROM the despair of drought to the relief of a break at a beach destination.
That’s the goal of a new initiative geared at securing NSW farmers, who are battling dry conditions, free holidays on the coast.
A retired politician came up with the idea, as he thinks time off-farm will improve mental health, allow families to reconnect and give farmers the chance to work on their businesses, rather than in them.
He is putting out the call for a charity willing to run with the idea.
This week, the Rural Weekly examined the concept and talked to the politician, accommodation provider and a lucky farmer packing her bags.
SHEEP farmer Bessie Thomas is a woman you could describe using words like vibrant, resilient and positive.
Her family’s farming business sits within the heart of NSW’s roaring drought – about 100km east of Wilcannia – and although she has spent the past 21 months hand-feeding their remaining stock, she spends much of her “spare” time spreading positive news about agriculture. But even people like Bessie need a break every now and then.
A few weeks ago the young mum answered a call from then member of the NSW Legislative Council Scot MacDonald.
The call from a politician was unexpected and became a conversation she will never forget.
Mr MacDonald, who announced his retirement before the recent NSW election, was struck by a video she posted on her Bessie at Burragan Facebook page, sharing what life in drought was like.
The post mentioned that Bessie’s husband, Shannan, had only had 14 days off in 2018 (a tally that included visits to the doctor and heading to town to pick up a tyre).
Having worked in agriculture, and having run his own business for 20 years, Mr MacDonald was moved to action. Utilising his networks, he secured Bessie’s family, including their daughter Airlie, a free holiday to the coast.
The phone call was to ask if she was willing to accept.
“I started crying,” Bessie said.
Bessie joked the good news put her in a “delusional mood” and when her daughter asked if she was OK, she jumped on the computer to show her the holiday destination. Pristine photos of Nelson Bay at Port Stephens filled the screen.
“They have a place where you can get up close to sharks and stingrays. She is so excited,” Bessie said.
For Mr MacDonald, offering a farmer a paid-for holiday wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan exercise.
When he realised the impact the news had on Bessie, he pondered if a program could be built to offer people on the land, who are impacted by drought, holidays.
After some advice from Lynne Strong at Young Farming Champions he “roughed up” a business case and is now on the hunt for a country charity willing to take on the project.
“I don’t think we will have any problem securing the accommodation,” he said.
“I think it’s best to keep the days short, to aim for 100 or 200 nights per year.
“We are looking for an organisation willing to take applications and seek expressions of interest for accommodation.
“It needs to be done in a
way that it doesn’t impact on accommodation businesses.”
He said holidays for people running their own business, were important for a few reasons.
His favourite break was a fishing trip around Moreton Island with his family. Apart from the fun, the time away gave him space to reflect on his business.
“When you are working with your partner or family, stepping away gives you the chance to keep your relationship on track, and it gives you time to think about where your business is heading and where you want it to be.
“You can’t do that when you are weighed down by the day-to-day of working.”
The free stay has been gifted to the Thomas family by managing director of Alloggio, Will Creedon.
Mr Creedon’s business offers a range of different accommodation options within the Port Stephens area.
“There was no question we wanted to do this,” he said.
“In the journey of life you have good times and bad times. And, during the bad times you rely on other people to lift you up.
“When Scot called, we had no hesitation.”
It’s been a joy for Will to be part of the project and he said it was extremely rewarding to hear Bessie’s excitement.
Mr MacDonald said the project would also help bridge the country-city divide and give folks on the coast a chance to meet a farmer.
So, what does time off-farm mean to people like Bessie?
For her, the special time leading up to their getaway has been the best medicine.
She took a deep breath and had a long sigh when describing how important it was to have something to look forward to.
“When I am having a bad day, I google some Port Stephens pictures and it’s instant relief,” she said.
“We will have seven nights away in total. A station hand – he’s a very capable person – will be looking after the place when we are away.”
Bessie and Shannan farm in conjunction with Shannan’s parents across three properties that are all drought declared.
“I am excited to not have to worry about our problems,” she said.
“Things go wrong on feed runs… you turn on a tap and doesn’t work – now we won’t have to think about that for a few days.”
December 2016 was the last time Shannan had a holiday. Bessie said he took some convincing the trip was a good idea.
“I think he feels guilty having time away,” she said.
“But I know I need this for my own mental health.”
Bessie feels guilty herself, as she thinks there are other farmers hit harder by drought who could use the break more than them.
“I can’t believe we have been given this opportunity. We get the chance to regroup as a family. I feel so lucky,” she said.