Twenty-two central west farmers were offered a helping hand from rural charity Aussie Helpers on Thursday.
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Farmers struggling through the dry conditions were given sheep pellets, groceries, dog biscuits, salt blocks, supplements and more.
All of the items had been donated by the Dubbo and Bathurst communities, as well as people from the central coast and Aussie Helpers.
Read more on the drought in NSW:
The 22 producers met with Yeoval farmer Krystal Haycock, who was recently appointed Aussie Helper’s NSW co-ordinator for drought.
Ms Haycock met with the farmers about five kilometres from Dubbo on the Narromine Road with 32 tonnes of sheep pellets, 30,000 litres of Black Magic supplement, 60 bags of dog biscuits and 22 grocery hampers.
Farmer Gordon Tremain, 74, lives about 10km outside of Dubbo on the Wellington road and said he has been hand feeding his sheep and cattle.
Mr Tremain has been on the land for 60 years and described the hand-feeding, cleaning of his dams and fencing work as “a full-time job.”
He was very humbled to all those communities who donated and to Aussie Helpers.
“This is all country doing,” Mr Tremain said of the generosity of others.
Helping Mr Tremain that day was his long-time friend Mark Semmler.
“It would be great if the Government could step in, but I won’t hold my breath.”
Read more on the Government’s response to the drought:
Ms Haycock said Aussie Helpers receive anywhere between 40 to 50 calls per day from farmers in NSW asking for help.
She also said at least 50 per cent of their callers had suicidal thoughts, depression or anxiety.
Some of the main things farmers are desperate for include fodder, groceries and water, Ms Haycock said.
She said there wasn’t any water and bores were drying up.
The cost to get a load of water - which would only last three weeks - was $400, Ms Haycock said.
“They’re showering at truck stops or at their family or neighbours house,” she said.
Fuel vouchers had also become popular.
“They also can’t afford fuel. So they’re putting off going into town to get groceries or see their doctor,” Ms Haycock said.