Katrina BRANDON
RECOVERY is hard after natural disasters, but with organisations like Farm Angels, things are a tad brighter.
Annually on August 14, workplaces, schools, sporting clubs and communities throw on their flannelette shirts for ‘Flanno for a Farmer Day’.
Farm Angels was established as Drought Angels in 2014 to respond to the needs of primary producers impacted by prolonged drought, initially in Queensland. Since then, the organisation has expanded to provide financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental health and wellbeing support to thousands of primary producers affected by all natural disasters (drought, flood, fire, and plagues) in over 1550 communities across Australia.
Joining in with the fun, The Glen (Glengarry Pub) held a special night, with all tables in the bistro and bar, fully booked out.
Families and other locals pitched in their support, whether it was grabbing a classic parma, having a drink or putting up donations for the cause.
During the night, each $5 from each Classic Parma and $1 from a Travla beer went into the fundraising efforts.
Last year, they raised $2218.
This year, they raised over $1671.
Since launching, Australians have helped Farm Angels raise more than $1.269 million for practical assistance to farming families including emergency financial relief, food hampers, care packs, financial assistance and ongoing mental health and wellbeing support when they need it most.
Every 10 days, Australia loses a farmer to suicide. Behind that number are families, communities and generations forever impacted. As many farming families continue recovering from drought, floods, bushfires and other natural disasters while navigating increasing financial pressures, the need for support has never been greater.
CEO of Farm Angels, Jason Law, said Australians can make a real difference through one simple act.
“Farming families are facing enormous challenges right now, and many are carrying those burdens quietly. Throwing on a flanno is a simple way to show they’re not alone, but it’s the donations behind it that allow us to provide practical support when families need it most,” Mr Law said.
“Every registration, every donation and every person who throws on a flanno helps us continue supporting farming families through some of the toughest times of their lives. Together, we can remind them that someone cares.”
Farm Angels provides tailored support to farming families across Australia, helping them stay on the land through financial assistance, food and essential supplies, care packages and mental health and wellbeing support during times of crisis.
Travla donated 100 per cent of their beer sales to Farm Angels for the event, in addition to helping spread awareness of the campaign and hosting fundraising ‘flanno nights’ at pubs across the country.
