Katrina BRANDON
ACROSS Victoria, farmers are sending hay to fire-affected regions.
The Lions of Traralgon joined the Australian Hay Runners on January 31, driving from Rosedale to Yea, picking up more runners closer to the drop-off point.
Rolling in online support and awareness of the journey, Lions Club member and Latrobe City Council Deputy Mayor Dale Harriman posted on Facebook about the journey.
“It is just absolutely fantastic. It’s rolled out by the Aussie Hay Runners. (There was) probably about 10 units in front of us and 30 or 40 behind, just heading through Darnum. The convoy started in Rosedale, which picked up a few of us in trail, and some more at Traf,” he said.
Cr Harriman said this was what the Lions were all about.
“Where there is a need, there is a Lion. There’s a hundred plus utes and a couple of trucks. The best part is that we’re getting so much support, so many cars beeping, not at us, but in support of us and flashing their lights,” he said.
From utes to semis, hundreds of people joined the convoy heading to Yea, ensuring that there was no shortage of feed heading up for livestock that had survived the fires.
Lions Club of Traralgon member Kev Taylor said that while it had been a great day, seeing the devastation of the countryside being burnt was quite emotional.
“One of the blokes we went to hadn’t had any feed for a week,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the Traralgon Lions Club for getting behind this and letting us use our gear and supporting these people. The real fantastic thing about this run is that there are a lot of young kids and their utes and their 4WDs that are getting behind this and helping the cause.”
Other convoys also made their way up to the fire-affected areas, with hay being sent from all regions of Gippsland, such as Latrobe and South Gippsland.
South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Nathan Hersey, aided the Lions Club of Strzelecki on their run.
“Our region was asked to support the Need for Feed Hay Drive to assist fire-affected farmers, and our region delivered,” he said.
“From the moment the appeal was announced, donations flowed in from across the region – South Gippsland, Bass Coast, Baw Baw and further afield – including contributions from farmers who, not long ago, were themselves impacted by drought.”
Fire-affected locals have thanked people online, to ensure their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
Ruffy residents Leonie Sanders and Matthew Leiper had a “lovely little hamlet that the fire has decimated”.
For Ms Sanders, this was her first experience with bushfires. Mr Leiper has experienced many fires in the past.
Mr Leiper was born and raised in Yinnar South. Working with the Ruffy community, the couple began receiving donations of jerry cans, non-perishables, toiletries, hay, and fresh water.
“To all who have donated, thank you so much,” Ms Sanders and Mr Leiper said.
“It is truly heart-warming. Often heartbreaking. But always an absolute privilege to be supporting our community.”
For more information or to donate, go to the Traralgon Lions Club – Supporting Aussie Farmers Facebook page or the Aussie Hay Runners Facebook page.
