Call to support farming families affected by Victorian bushfire

Tasmanians are being urged to dig deep to return the financial goodwill Victorians showed our farmers when they were struggling after devastating floods in 2016.
Some Victorian farmers have lost their houses, sheds and entire stock after a catastrophic fire storm burned through tens of thousands of hectares in Victoria’s south-west earlier this week.
Many farmers are struggling with significant stock and fencing losses and now have no grass to feed their surviving cattle. Farmers are scrambling to find generators or walking their cows to neighbouring farms to be milked with damage to these farms reaching millions of dollars.
Rural Business Tasmania CEO Elizabeth Skirving said donations from Tasmanians would not only help the farmers to rebuild but would also give them hope.
“When farmers struggle it has a ripple effect throughout entire rural communities,” Ms Skirving said.
“We will do what we can to ensure the farmers affected by these recent and terrible fires are properly supported through the challenging times ahead.
“Just knowing there are Tasmanians who care enough to donate to this emergency fund will help these devastated farming communities feel less isolated.”
Ms Skirving said it would be only fair to return to the Victorian community some of the support they showed Tasmania when we needed it two years ago.
“Especially in times of hardship, it is vital these struggling communities feel supported,” she said.
All donations will be given to Rural Business Tasmania’s sister organisation Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – Wimmera South West Inc to distribute directly to farming families affected by the bushfires.
Rural Business Tasmania is a registered charity providing a range of services aimed at assisting primary producers who are facing financial hardship. In times of crisis, it supports farming families and their communities when they need it most.
To donate and show your support to Victorian farming families in need, visit http://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/Relief-Fund
Rural Business Tasmania CEO Elizabeth Skirving