NSW Surf Life Saving (SLS) is used to helping people in great need, but they did it in a different way on Monday as they donated hay to desperate farmers in Rouchel.
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Despite being hundreds of kilometres from the closest beach, battlers in the Upper Hunter have been blessed with the generosity of one of the state’s most cherished organisations.
Carting two full trucks of hay out to the farms, SLS traded saving lives for saving livelihoods, which was a welcome sight for lifelong farmer Ted Doyle.
“It’s a wonderful help, it’s back up for our own supplies of hay and fills in between our semi-truck loads so it’s very good, much appreciated,” he said.
“Very easily [has this drought been the worst], our family first settled at Rosevale in lower Rouchel in 1856 and we’ve never had to dig for water before last December.”
NSW SLS regional manager Tony O’Mara said the events of Monday came as a result of a suggestion from their state conference earlier this year.
That idea quickly blossomed into a partnership with Buy a Bale and an outstanding amount of donations coming from the SLS clubs or members themselves chipping in the help the cause.
He said the operation epitomises the organisation’s attitude and added they were incredibly pleased to be able to make a difference.
“It’s about saving lives and giving a helping hand and we were more than happy to assist in helping our farmers,” he said.
“The reality is once you get over that great divide things do change, it’s really an eye-opener for us all.
“Australians are in need, our fellow NSW farmers are in need and our surf clubs are lending a hand so it’s a really good fit.”
This has clearly rubbed off on Mr Doyle, who has a new-found sense of optimism following the past couple of weeks of good news and wetter weather.
“We’ve had a little bit of rain in the past two weeks,” he said.
“I think it’s a definite step in the right direction and I think the atmosphere has loosened up a little bit and I’m just hoping the whole state will feel the benefit of a bit of follow up rain.”
While the downpour has been a welcome sight, people are still in great need of help and donations such as the Surf Life Saving’s are incredibly important to its recipients.
