Flood-ravaged stock on the NSW mid-north coast are benefiting from donated hay from Gunnedah.
Following the NSW east coast floods in May of this year, Gunnedah’s George Avard took a call from friend, John Caldon.
John, formerly of the Gunnedah region, now living in Taree explained how landholders in the Manning Valley area were “desperate”. They had lost herds of dairy cattle washed away in the floodwater, surviving stock were starving as the flooding had also washed away grass leaving bare muddy fields.
Mr Avard put a call-out for help and with others, sought to organise truckloads of hay to be sent to the Manning Valley to supplement lost fodder and crops to feed the district’s surviving stock.
Gunnedah locals were quick to respond with lucerne hay being donated by the Hyem family of “Kibah”, Gunnedah. Fellow local Peter Mitchell provided the transportation to the affected region.
“Peter was instrumental in sourcing hay,” Mr Avard said.
John Caldon who co-ordinated the fodder drive for the flood victims of Taree said soon after 3000 people attended a recent flood support rally in the Manning area, the NSW government changed the grading of the disaster to Category D assistance.
This allows affected farmers and businesses access to higher funding provided by the state government.
“Further donations of fodder would be appreciated,” Avard added.
