
WA truckies honoured to help struggling NSW farmers
WA farmers Sam Starcevich and Anne Bell didn't hesitate for a second to answer the call for help from their drought-ravaged colleagues in NSW.
Sam said it's all about helping out your fellow Australian when times are tough, no matter how far away they may be.
It was that sentiment that enabled Sam and Anne to rally the troops and triple the size of their 2014 Farmers Across Borders convoy to 47 from WA this year.
Thanks to support from main sponsors Jeep Australia and Lions Need for Feed, the fleet delivered 3,000 tonnes of donated hay to drought-affected farmers after a warm welcome from the local Cobar, NSW, community upon arrival on Australia Day.
Sam said she is honoured to help out other farmers struggling in need on Australia Day.
"We are incredibly proud to lead Western Australia's largest hay run and deliver to drought-affected farmers in New South Wales on Australia Day,” she said.
"The generosity and support from all of the volunteers, farmers, truck drivers, Jeep Australia and Lions Need for Feed is the ultimate expression of Aussie mateship.”
Farmers Across Borders worked in conjunction with Lion's Need for Feed to disperse the hay to farmers within a 500km radius of Cobar. Jeep Australia provided food and a fleet of support vehicles to assist volunteers throughout their journey.
Cobar farmer Chris Lehmann said farmers in his area had been doing it tough, with many forced to destock.
"It is a really good show of Australian spirit, especially on Australia Day,” Chris said.
"It's really special to see these trucks roll in from WA to our little patch of ground in Cobar. They're doing a great thing and you can't thank them enough.”
