Farmers and residents in the Wannamal and Mogumber districts have rallied around to assist those farmers who are fire affected in Waroona and Yarloop. Local residents Max Smith and Rob Anspach, co-ordinated a fund raising appeal to purchase hay and fodder to send to the farmers in need.
“We know that keeping feed up to livestock following a fire is quite difficult, and felt that our community could help the farmers in the Waroona area. Our district has had a fairly average season and feed will be in short supply locally, so asking for hay donations would have had limited success,” Max Smith explained, “By requesting cash donations we have been able to purchase a quantity of hay and oaten straw at cost price, and it allowed non-farming people to be able to contribute also.”
The Wannamal community, in conjunction with the Mogumber Outback Club, Koorunga CWA, Bindoon Retirees and others quickly gathered the huge $5700 towards assisting the farmers during January so that the donation could be made as soon as possible.
“This is a pretty good effort by our small communities, at short notice. We will be sending 2 truck loads to Waroona this week,” said Max Smith.
The bales were delivered on 3 February by Anspach AG and Max Smith who provided the transportation at no cost. The support of Dunning’s Fuel, Wongan Hills, who donated fuel and Glenvar Hay for providing the baled hay and straw at cost was appreciated.
“The Wannamal community has previously helped other communities in need, including Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction following the major floods,” Rob Anspach said. “We would like to thank all those people who donated to this appeal.”
Max Smith recalled delivering donated hay from Waroona to the farmers at Morawa some years ago when that district was experiencing a severe drought. “Farming communities have a tradition of supporting others in time of need and we are pleased that we have been able to help.”
