Community
7 August, 2025
Thousands raised for farmers
TERANG Rotarians are among those backing a new fund in a bid to raise $500,000 to support farmers in their battle with drought conditions.
The Western Victoria Drought Emergency Relief Fund has recently been launched as a joint-venture between Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and Farmers Relief Agency to support farmers struggling with the lingering impacts of the drought.
In response, Terang and District Rotary Club this week has dedicated $2000 to the cause.
The donation is in-addition to an already pledged $6000 to Western District Food Share and $1000 to Terang College towards breakfast meals for students who haven’t had breakfast.
Terang and District Rotary Club member Pam Bell said Rotarians were proud to represent their community in making a difference.
“We view these efforts as not only helping to feed the animals, but supporting entire families,” she said.
“Any assistance which makes life easier is important.
“Farmers have supported this community year in and year out – this is now their time of need and we need to get behind them.
“I think it’s wonderful because this is a caring community, a wonderful place and we know we can’t rely on outside sources.
“This is the grassroots level where support needs to start, so we encourage anybody to give what they can to support these families.”
RAWCS chair Heather Chong said the body would be working with Rotary District 9780, which represents the more than 50 Rotary Clubs from across south and west Victoria and South Australia, to gain a deeper understanding of local needs.
“The funds will be collected by RAWCS but the local clubs on the ground will be the ones working on how that money will be spent,” she said.
“We don’t dictate where it’s going to go – it’s about local Rotarians working with local farmers to see what they need.
“We’ve been working with Farmers Relief Agency as they source and deliver feed.
“Once we know what the farmers need from our local Rotarians, we’ll work with the Farmers Relief Agency to get what the livestock need delivered with all the biosecurity measures in place.”
It is hoped the fund will reach $500,000, which at the time of publication has already surged to $111,435.
“It’s excellent,” Ms Chong said.
“The reality is we need the half a million dollars but every dollar helps along the way.”
Terang and District Rotary Club member Paul Blain encouraged all in the community to give what they could to the cause.
“The farmers need to know local communities are behind them and trying to understand what they’re going through,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s any donation or help which can be given to the farmers which is small – everything shows the town is behind them and we want to support them.”
Ms Chong said Rotarians had been inspired to lend a hand after seeing what farming communities across the south west were battling through.
“Western Victoria is having a dreadful drought,” she said.
“Some of the pictures and comments from the farmers are just heartbreaking.
“We saw the devastation that’s happening, so RAWCS wanted to get involved.
“We have put together national-level fundraisers for floods and bushfires but drought is just as devastating for the people involved.”
Ms Chong said while initial efforts will focus around getting feed where it is needed, Rotarians also understood ongoing support would be a necessity.
“One of the longer-term things we’re thinking about with this is we’ll be reaching out to the farmers so we’ve got the capacity to talk to people,” she said.
“Today you might need food for your stock, but three months down the line you might need some mental health assistance or somebody to talk to.
“This is not a quick-fix project – it has the potential to go on for some time, which is important.”
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