This week, parts of the state have been battered by catastrophic fires.

Dozens of families have lost everything. Homes have been reduced to charred debris, sometimes a chimney stack or tangled roofing sits idle where a lifetime of memories were made.

Livelihoods have been destroyed, paddocks are black and farmers have also lost crops and stock.

Their whole worlds have been turned upside in just days after scorching temperatures and the worst fire conditions in history fanned flames that engulfed everything.

Almost 55,000 hectares of land was reduced to ash when an out-of-control bushfire tore through properties around the Dunedoo, Leadville, Turill, Cassilis and Coolah districts, destroying at least 30 homes and 104 outbuildings. 

Despite the devastation across the Central West, and parts of the North West, the community spirit is only continue to rise.

The Rural Fire Service sent another contingent of volunteers from Tamworth and the Liverpool Ranges zones to the Dunedoo area on Friday to help mop up after the fires – the third batch this week.

And, local two Boggabri farmers are shouting dinner to save thank you to the brave men and women that did everything they could to fight the Binalong fire at Boggabri, which destroyed one homestead, two outbuildings, machinery and paddocks.

Across the North West, truckloads of fodder is rattling down the road to help fire victims feed what remains of their stock.

Goonoo Red Angus stud producer Graeme Jordan wanted to donate a truckload of hay to those affected, so he contacted Tamworth-based business Hazells Farm and Feed.

As of noon Friday, the campaign had collected 62 silage bales, 245 big squares, 700 round bales, 1400 small squares, a pallet of pellets, pallet of horse feed, pallet of mineral blocks and a pallet of working dog food. And it’s only expected to grow.

Tongues Transport, Careys Freight Lines and Parry Logistics have already donated trucks to transport the hay, while Lowes Petroleum have donated some fuel vouchers. 

It’s complete strangers helping their country neighbours. 

And, just like the resilience of our farmers, it shows country spirit at its best – so that other communities can back on their feet.