TFGA points Tasmanian farmers to Queensland flood help

Dated: Friday, 14 January 2011

Tasmanian farmers today pledged their support for their counterparts in Queensland, with the peak farming body, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA), saying the extent and consequences of the flooding were beyond imagination.

“We join with the rest of the nation in seeking to understand the scale and trauma of this natural disaster,” TFGA President, David Gatenby, said today.

“Normally we look at emergency fodder drops in situations like this but the logistics of that are pretty much insurmountable.”

Instead of physical assistance, the TFGA today recommended two avenues of financial assistance for Tasmanian farmers to assist their beleaguered colleagues in Queensland:

1. Donations to a dedicated money appeal for affected farmers that AgForce Queensland and Aussie Helpers have established. AgForce Queensland represents Queensland’s beef, sheep and grain producers. Aussie Helpers is a volunteer group that assists farmers under stress. The web link for the flood appeal fund is:
www.nff.org.au/read/1901/flood-appeals.html/

Banking details for donations are:
Aussie Helpers Ltd ABN 291226111582
QLD FARMERS FLOOD APPEAL
BSB: 484 799
Account: 015147867

2. Donations to Beyond Blue, the national initiative to address depression. Beyond Blue works in rural communities to assist people impacted by events such as the devastating Queensland floods.
The web link for Beyond Blue is:
www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=104.1283/

“We know that it could happen to any of us,” Mr Gatenby said. “With two-thirds of Queensland under water I know that Tasmanian farmers will be generous with their thoughts and their support.”
David Gatenby, Jan Davis http://www.tfga.com.au/