Despite the wonderfully recent rain around Tamworth, we are being urged to remember that for some, the drought hasn't broken.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was thrown into sharp relief for the Tamworth and Murrurundi Doing It For Our Farmers groups, who held "extremely successful" Hamper Days last week.
Thrilled at being able to help the 27 farming families who came on Wednesday, Sue-Ellen Wilkin was also confronted to see farmers' troubles double with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was a huge day. We made it a bit of excitement, and changed the pace a little bit," she said.
I think moral support for these farmers would be very valuable - letting them all know we still think about them, care about them, and that we are not so focused on COVID that we can't think about anything else.
- Sue-Ellen Wilkin
All with strict COVID-19 rules in place, the ladies' packs, dog food packages and trays of fruit and veg went a long way. Nothing could wipe the smiles away from those who went.
"I just think how it's amazing that we can do this even when the drought is so out of focus at the moment," Ms Wilkin explained.
Since Christmas, she and her only fellow helper Gail Brooks have given three 9x3 metre storage sheds and a full pantry's worth of goods out to farmers in need.
Some have green grass and no stock, and many people are going to the wall. Its sad but that is the way it's happening right now.
- Sue-Ellen Wilkin
"That's a lot of food given out, and a lot of work with only the two of us," Ms Wilkin explained.
"But we are seeing more hard cases where people are losing their properties. It's a mess."
READ ALSO
Looking at green pastures knowing there is still no water, looking at empty paddocks, looking at empty bank balances, Ms Wilkin said the mental anguish in our farmers is "astonishing".
"Some have green grass and no stock, and many people are going to the wall. Its sad but that is the way it's happening right now."
With pandemic protocols in place, donations are reluctantly being accepted and placed into quarantine for a time, however other things would earn their gratitude.
"We would love some donations - but with COVID we have a bit of a problem with that, but we can take vouchers and money.
"But I think moral support for these farmers would be very valuable - letting them all know we still think about them, care about them, and that we are not so focused on COVID that we can't think about anything else.
"It's not all about the toilet paper."
For more information, head to the group's Facebook page.
