Help is at hand for drought stricken farmers

Agencies and locals at the Drought Support Meeting held at Bourke last Wednesday: seated l-r: Kate Woodbridge (NBN), Robin Pullen (the Salvos), Tammy Greer (Dept Human Services), Denise Gaff (Bourke Rural Financial Counselling Service), Grace Murray (DPI), and Hannah Wandel (Dept Regional Development). Standing l-r: Caroline Robinson (ICPA), Samantha Mooring (Rose Isle), Michael Kennedy (ATO), Garry Mooring (Rose Isle), Nick Passalis (ATO), June Saint (Bourke Rural Financial Counselling Service), Jasmine Whitten (Landcare NSW), Caroline Dunlop (Vinnies), Gemma Turnbull (NSW Local Land Services), Pat Mann (Vinnies), Hannah Parish (NSW Drought Support), Julie McCauley (Dept Human Services), Amelia Pratt (Dept Regional Development), David Ringland (Rotary Dubbo), Meredith Thompson (Rotary Bourke), Wally Mitchell (Louth), Jess ten Brinke (Local Land Services) Photo: TWH

Government agencies and welfare groups descended on the Bourke PCYC last Wednesday to talk to locals about drought.

Locals were given the chance to have their individual circumstances assessed in regard to drought support assistance.

Similar meetings are being held at Brewarrina, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Coonamble, Nyngan, and Cobar.

The drought workshops are a partnership between the Federal Government and NBN Co to help farmers and local businesses in drought-affected areas access support.

Local member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the Coalition Government is using NBN Co’s Sky Muster satellite vehicles to provide a free Wi-Fi service to assist in lodging online claims for drought assistance at outreach events across New South Wales.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.