Eastwood Uniting Church English Classes Drought Relief Fundraiser Multi-cultural Luncheon, 3 Sep 2018

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6t6wl6

Dear Lyn

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fabulous supporters for their continued support of Australian farmers, east and west, north and south facing challenges on the land.

The response across Australia to the drought on the east coast has been very humbling for all involved. Companies big and small, donors like you with small and large personal donations has meant we've been able to provide assistance like never before.

This year alone…

• Over 4500 farmers have registered for various types of assistance
• 2000 farmers have received hay, currently growing at 30 a week
• 1000's of hampers, water trucks, fuel cards and vouchers

Since 1 July 2018 we have

• Employed 11 mental health counsellors with committed funding of $5.5m over 3 years
• More than $20m in total cash donations has been accepted by Rural Aid
• Over 2200 counselling telephone one-on-one calls or face to face visits to farmers in 4 months
• $3m paid for hay distributed to farmers in need
• $2.3m paid in freight to deliver the hay
• $6m for bill relief for farmers
• Forward commitment to purchase $11m of hay and transport for next 6 months.
• More than $1.2m provided to farmers in the form of gift cards which can be spent locally
• Expanded our team by 7 people so that we can respond to enquiries and provide help faster to those most in need.




In the last two weeks we've moved 76 and 88 trailers respective, almost 3500 tonnes of hay in two weeks which was delivered to over 300 farmers. This is amazing work by our hay team, truckies and hay producers who are all pulling together an amazing support effort. We've now added SA farmers into our list receiving assistance just last weekend.

Farmers like Derani B from NSW write
"I am writing to say a heartfelt thank you to your organisation and volunteers for the gift cards we received recently. The generosity of the Australian Public has been touching and while we still wait for rain, it is comforting to know that we are supported by wonderful people like yourselves."

The Country Card
The Country Card is Here.

We're introducing a new plastic card into rural communities which will help us support all rural businesses, not just those with their own gift card programs as well as saving us thousands of dollars on the purchase and distribution of prepaid Visa cards.

The Country card is 100% fee free to the card holder and all businesses, no transaction fees, no monthly fees, no annual fess, NO Fees. Business can sign up to accept the card for free as well and we hope to have hundreds maybe thousands of rural businesses accepting the card by Christmas.
On behalf of everyone here at Rural Aid, our counsellors in the field, our thousands of volunteers and you our donors and supporters, a truly massive Thank You
CEO
Rural Aid Ltd