By Paul Dunlop
BIGhearted residents are helping bail out fireravaged farmers by donating their precious hay.
Trucks from the Pakenham district are getting ready to carry desperately needed fodder to communities still reeling from blazes that ripped through the region just before Christmas.
Bushfires and the harsh grip of the drought have made hay an increasingly valuable — and scarce — commodity all over Victoria.
But local people touched by the plight of landholders who lost almost everything are still doing what they can to help.
Residents are also calling on state and local authorities to pitch in and allow grass growing on governmentowned land to be cut for hay to send to those in need.
The relief effort is being spearheaded by Upper Beaconsfield man Graham Cockerell.
Mr Cockerell and wife Jeanette have already delivered 120 bales of hay to farmers in the Gippsland town of Cowwarr.
“These people were already down on their knees struggling with the drought and the fires have just about knocked them out,” Mr Cockerell said.
“Life should be all about helping other people. We’ve been through it before in the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. Now it’s our turn to do something.
“They’re true country people. On the night we went down they emptied the pub of patrons to help us unload.”
Mr Cockerell said he already had an offer of free transport for further deliveries from Trevor Wilson of CD Wilson and Sons.
Several offers of small quantities of hay had also been made from Upper Beaconsfield residents, he said.
“I know things are already very tough so I’m not asking for people to give away their last bale of hay — but even one bale is better than nothing,” he said.
“What I would love is for government agencies to let their land be used — that would really be something.”
Mr Cockerell, first vicepresident of Berwick Lions Club, has used his contacts within the service organisation to help develop the hay drive effort.
He said service clubs traditionally banded together in times of trouble.
A central collection point, somewhere undercover, is needed.
Cardinia Shire mayor Kate Lempriere also pledged to do all she could to support the cause.
“I think it is wonderful that people are helping each other. They recognise there is a crisis and are doing what they can to help,” Cr Lempriere said.
“We should do what we can to provide either feed, food, water or supplies or simply just reassurance and kindness. A few prayers wouldn’t go astray as well.”
Barry Medwin, who tragically lost his first wife, Alison, and daughter, Kerry, in the Ash Wednesday fires, is among the residents who have promised to donate hay.
Mr Medwin and wife Joan, who lost her first husband to cancer, recently returned from visiting another daughter in the Buckland Valley which has been under severe fire threat.
“You still get a scare when those hot, northerly winds spring up.
“I’ll never lose the memory of what happened but I also thank God for the blessing and healing I’ve received since then,” Mr Medwin said. “We’ve been through tough times, we’re well aware of what people in the fires are going through now and if we can help, we will.”
>>> Residents wanting to support the hay drive can contact the Gazette on 5945 0666 or email editorstarnewsgroup.com .au.
