Following a successful drought relief mission to Gurley last year, a former Moree woman will be returning to the area next weekend, this time to provide some much needed support to the Bellata community and surrounds.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ann-Maria Martin was born in Moree and grew up on a property in the area until the age of about six when her parents left due to a crippling drought.
Knowing full-well the impacts drought can have on families and communities, Ms Martin - the founder of not-for-profit charity Survivor's R Us - last year decided she wanted to do something to make life a little easier for those doing it tough and in November last year distributed food, toiletries, animal feed and Coles and Woolworths gift vouchers to Gurley farmers in need.
She's now returning to Bellata and not only hopes to hand out food, toiletry packs and gift vouchers, but has planned a free community fun day/night at the Bellata Golf Club on Saturday, July 27 to help farmers take their mind off the drought.
READ ALSO:
There will be a jumping castle, face painting and fun old-fashioned games such as three-legged races for the kids, while Michael Wilks and band will be providing the entertainment into the evening.
A hot meal will be provided, and fire pits will be set up to keep people warm into the night. The Bellata CWA will also be doing tea and coffee and free camping will be available at the Golf Club.
"It's going to be a big night for farmers to enjoy," she said.
"I know they're going through such a rough time out there, so we want them to enjoy one day."
Foodbank NSW/ACT and Survivor's R Us will be providing food, personal care packs and pet food on the day and Ms Martin said they have enough for 500 people. She said it's not just limited to Bellata farmers, but everyone in the Moree and Narrabri districts.
"I'm hoping to get anybody who needs it," she said.
"I'm hoping 500 people are going to come and get supplies. I have all this stuff I'm bringing out and I don't want to take it home."
Ms Martin has been inundated with support and donations from Newcastle businesses and said every person she talks to about her trip next weekend has wanted to support it and help out.
"That's what it's all about - giving back to our beautiful farmers. Without them, we wouldn't have anything in our grocery stories," she said.
Ms Martin and her team of about 15 will arrive in Bellata on Friday, July 26 and will be making a special visit to Bellata Public School to donate brand new backpacks, hats, pencil cases and more to the students. All the items have been donated by various companies in Newcastle.
Ms Martin is also hoping to raise $10,000 between now and then to allow all students to attend the Canberra excursion.
"I've been told that there are 10 children who can't go to Canberra because their parents are doing it tough and they can't afford it, and that just broke my heart," she said.
"So I'm trying to raise money so they can go. It's $700 per child to go, so $7000 would cover 10 kids, but the extra money would let the kids have some bloomin' treats down there, things they wouldn't normally get to do on a regular basis.
"I just want them to know that people care about them."
Ms Martin also plans to stop by the Gurley Hotel to drop off more parcels for the farmers doing it tough there.
"I understand that sometimes when city people come out to help, it's not always for the right reasons, but I just want people to know that this is being given from the heart," she said
"I want to make sure farmers okay and I want to keep coming out. Every year we'll come out and pick an area near Moree, so if anyone has suggestions of where we should go, I'm happy to take them.
"It's just knowing they're not alone and that people in the city give a damn."
