Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster recovery, John Barilaro, has joined with the Rapid Relief Team to spread some hope to farmers still suffering through the worst drought in living memory.
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Events on Thursday and Friday delivered a helping hand to 297 drought affected farmers at Bourke and Walgett as part of Operation Drought Relief.
The Farmers Community Connect events are designed to be "feel-good, well-deserved days out for local farmers, who have been doing it tough as a result of prolonged drought that has seen the loss of livestock and significantly impacted livelihoods".
With the help of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), RRT delivered 374 tonnes of livestock pellets over the two days.
The coronavirus pandemic did change the format of the day though, with organisers serving drive-through burgers to farmers in their cars.
"Today's Farmers Community Connect is about bringing together both farmers and the community to have a bite to eat, a chat with mates and support each other through some tough times," Ron Arkcoll, RRT Managing Director from the PBCC, said.
"And particularly with some of the panic around coronavirus, it's important to remind people to stay calm and help each other out when they need it."
Walgett grazier Nick Fletcher said while it is looking a lot better than it was six weeks ago, people still need to understand that it doesn't rain money.
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"Now that we've got a bit of moisture in the ground, we're now walking a bit of a tightrope now with our banks to see if we're already at our limits with overdrafts and what not," he said.
"Coming to an event like this - it's one of those things that just makes you realise that people don't forget where you are and who you are."
