Community
1 August, 2025
Wear green campaign launched
SCHOOLS and businesses across the district donned green to show their support of farmers in the region struggling with ongoing drought conditions.
While many businesses and schools held their Wear Green for Farmers days on the launch date of July 25, St Patrick’s Primary School held their Green Day last Thursday.
St Patrick’s students donned a variety of green additions to their uniforms, including hats, socks, scarves and hair ribbons.
Acting principal Tarryn Delaney said the response to the fundraiser was “overwhelmingly positive” from the school community.
“With gold coin donations and a strong spirit of generosity, students and families alike contributed to a cause that touches the lives of many in our region,” she said.
“The event was a powerful reminder of the compassion and community spirit that defines St Patrick’s.
“The school extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the day a meaningful success.”
Mercy Regional College (MRC), Lismore Primary School and Camperdown Veterinary Clinic all held their Green Days last Friday, which saw the two-week awareness and fundraising campaign launched.
MRC assistant principal wellbeing and engagement Emily Stephens said the involvement was wonderful.
“It was fantastic to see so many of our Mercy community get behind the cause,” she said.
“With students and staff coming from all across the region, including many from farming families, we know just how important our agricultural industry is for our beautiful district and we hope and pray for prosperity and relief in the months ahead.”
Gold coin donations collected on the day totalling $468 will go towards the efforts of Need for Feed and their support of farmers doing it tough.
Lismore Primary School was also awash with green last Friday, with many of the staff and students living on farms themselves.
“Wearing green, the students and staff were proud to be supporting this amazing cause that our community feels so strongly about,” mental health and wellbeing leader Ellen McComb said.
Cameprdown Veterinary Clinic practice manager Sarah Wise said, in addition to a Green Day held at the Camperdown clinic, a trivia night was held in Lismore on Monday.
We raised $86 from people asking questions,” she said.
The clinic also has a collection jar at the reception desk where customers can drop donations in.
Drought Support Victoria’s Elise McKinnon said, while pleased with the local support, the group had conceptionalised the Wear Green day to encourage schools, businesses and community groups across the state to support farmers.
“This initiative, Wear Green for Victorian Farmers, was created to bring attention to what many in our region already know too well — this is one of the most severe and prolonged droughts some of our farming communities have ever faced,” she said.
“In many areas, it hasn’t rained properly for over three years.
“Pastures have failed, animals are being hand-fed and families are under enormous stress just trying to keep going.
“But this isn’t just a rural issue – it's a food issue, a community issue, and a national issue.
“It’s a simple gesture that has a huge impact – a gold coin, a green shirt, and a message of support can help fund truckloads of hay to those who need it most.”
The campaign is running from July 25 to August 8, with all gold coin donations going towards Need for Feed – a volunteer organisation delivering hay to farmers across the state.
Ms McKinnon said the campaign itself was not about money, but still welcomed any donations people are able to give.
“We want to be very clear: we are not asking local families, many of whom are also affected by this drought, to donate or bring in gold coins,” she said.
“It’s about standing with our farmers, about creating visibility, and about showing we care.
“The people who grow our food are doing it tough, and it’s time more Australians understood the challenges behind the meals on their plates.
“That’s why this campaign is just as much about education and awareness as it is about support.
“We’re so proud of the schools that have taken this message into their classrooms and helped students connect the dots between food, farming and our future.”
Camperdown’s Men’s Hair on Manifold will be holding their Green Day today (Friday, August 1) and donating $5 from every haircut to Need for Feed.
For more information and to register, contact vicdrought@gmail.com.
To donate to Need for Feed, visit www.needforfeed.org/donate.
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