Community
12 February, 2026
Convoy praised as example of generosity
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell highlighted the recent hay convoy which passed through the region as an example of the generosity and kindness which the south west exemplifies.
In her first speech back in Parliament for the new year, Ms Britnell said she looked forward to a productive year but lamented returning following a difficult time due to the Bondi terrorist attack and the ongoing threat of bushfires.
She said despite the difficulties, she had also found pride in the community in meeting with the drivers of 50 trucks who travelled from Allansford to Alexandria recently, saying the region has seen its fair share of tragedy but also showcased a willingness to support those who were doing it tough.
“We certainly understand the tragedy that goes with events like fires, but nothing could make me more impressed than what I saw on Saturday morning when a convoy of trucks gathered in the early hours – half past six in the morning – to take hay and supplies to the Alexandra area where they were desperately needing our help,” she said.
“Fifty trucks left from Allansford at Eddie White’s property; his family hosted and organised the majority of that convoy.
“It was just incredible to see the farmers and the truck drivers and the community members who have seen this, like I said, too many times in the past just get organised and get the hay together and send it up north – 50 trucks.
“The week before, 70 went from the whole of Victoria that was not affected, and our region got 50 organised as well.
“For the last two years we have been through incredible drought conditions, and it is not over yet.”
Ms Britnell said the generosity was “extraordinary” as farmers only had a brief spring window of growth to bolster hay and silage reserves.
“Thirteen trucks came from the Glenelg area,” she said.
“Dale Clark organised that, and Russell Cummings, one of our farmers and truck drivers, was very involved. So were many other farmers – farmers like Trevor Fry.
“He knows only too well – he runs a trucking business and a farming operation – how challenging it has been, particularly throughout this drought.
“But they just got organised and gave when they really have not got much to give, given the challenge of the drought is still upon us, and the costs will go on for a long time.
“If we do not get an autumn break, we are in real trouble.”
Ms Britnell said some of those donating had themselves experienced the crushing devastation of bushfires.
“Also Ron Jelbart was there. Ron was very affected at the St Patrick’s Day fires, which were eight years ago, but it feels like yesterday,” she said.
“The trauma of that fire on families like the Jelbart family was felt.
“Ron said to me that day, ‘It’s so much easier to give hay than it is to receive it’.”
Ms Britnell noted “the generosity, the goodwill and the incredible community” who pulled together to give up their time to support those in need.
“Thank you to the community of South West Coast,” she said.
“You are an honour to serve, because I represent an incredible part of the world. I could not be more proud of the people there that I represent.”
Ms Britnell said seeing how organised the volunteer efforts were when compared to the running of government was a disappointing juxtaposition.
“It is for those people that I represent that I should be standing in this place and able to say, ‘I’ve been able to consult about the business program,’ but it gets so pulled from pillar to post because this government is so tired, so arrogant and so disorganised,” she said.
“We had three bills we were debating this week, but just last night they pulled a bill because they did not understand that the condolence motion would take a long time, as it should.
“We are not seeing things like the child protection bill, which I was hoping to speak on because our children in the child protection system are so vulnerable and so poorly managed by this government that it is important to improve things.
“I was actually looking forward to a bill that may do that, but this government did not see it as important enough and pulled it from the program.
“How disappointing that we have bills that the government just tell us they are going to debate but our community does not get that honour to be able to be represented.”