General News
8 November, 2024
Hay Runners pass through Wimmera on mission to SA
It made for an awe-inspiring sight as locals watched 33 trucks, carrying a combined total of 1056 bales of hay pass through the Wimmera on Saturday.
It made for an awe-inspiring sight as locals watched 33 trucks, carrying a combined total of 1056 bales of hay pass through the Wimmera on Saturday.
The Aussie Hay Runners left Ararat on Saturday, heading to South Australia, where they dispersed the hay to desperate farmers across 12 different locations.
It was the group's 23rd run for the year, but their first in history to South Australia, as they delivered to a total of 66 farmers in predominately Mannum, Morgan, Peterborough, Robertstown and Sedan.
They then debriefed in Bordertown that night before making their way back to their homes across New South Wales and Victoria on Sunday.
Combined, the drivers in their trucks travelled about 60,000kms.
In total, their loads were estimated to be worth a combined total of $100,320 - but they didn't just have feed on board, with other donations accepted and delivered gratefully to those doing it tough.
This included over 2000 cans of cat and dog food, countless hobby mixes for horses and chicken feed.
Farmers and their families were also delivered gifts from Shoe Boxes of Love - containing items like toiletries while Down The White Line Truck Photography captured the Hay Runner's plight.
Linda Widdup, from Aussie Hay Runners, hailed their inaugural run to South Australia as an "absolute success" upon their arrival home.
"I can say we have spoken to every farmer we have delivered to, and it is the same story," she said.
"This has gone on for a long time and they weren't prepared for it because it has gone on for years and years and that's why Aussie Hay Runners have gone in there and helped them.
"But we are only a band aid, we are not the solution, this is to give them a little pressure relief."
Anne-Marie Best, also from Aussie Hay Runners, said the group was going to work hard to get back to South Australia in the future.
"Everyone was so thankful, and we were thrilled to help," she said.
"We run on 100 per cent donations, we can get the hay, we can get the trucks, but we are struggling with the cost of fuel."
The cost of fuel alone for this trip was $120,000, with the group amassing a bill of $2.5 million in fuel in total for their 23 journeys’ so far this year.
"It takes us a while to get that in donation, and with the cost of living, no-one has money to throw around, but we are doing our best to help the farmers," Ms Best said.
"It was Simone Bailey, the Mayor of Mid Murray Council who contacted us.
"She reached out to Linda asking if she thought we could help them and we hooked in and that's how this run came about.
"And we were shocked, when we got out to Sedan, out north-west, the further we went, it just broke our hearts."
The delivery to the farmers, Ms Best said, left many in tears.
"One family said they were going to be able to have Christmas now because they don't have to buy grain in, and they had small children," Ms Best said.
"One lady said they won't have to stay awake all night for the rest of the year now, wondering what they are going to do.
"After Christmas these people will be back in the spot, but we are able to give people a little relief, a bit of breathing space to have their mind focused on going forward, rather than today."
But the heroes in this instance can't be forgotten - and that's the drivers and volunteers of Aussie Hay Runners.
"We are nothing without our drivers," Ms Best said.
"They are the most amazing people and most of the loads that went were donated by them."