Frontier Services national volunteering program in remote Australia, Outback Links, has partnered with drought-relief campaigner Buy a Bale to undertake a massive Farm Rescue. This week almost 30 properties in the drought stricken Goodooga region in north-west NSW will receive a helping hand from our volunteer workforce.

There were over 40 skilled volunteers on the Farm Rescue bus that left from the Sydney CBD on Saturday morning. The volunteers will undertake a diverse range of jobs and the tradespeople offer expertise such as mechanics, plumbers, builders, welders, electricians, fencers and painters. They have generously offered their time and enthusiasm to take on the challenge.

The concept for Farm Rescue grew out of a partnership between Frontier Services and Buy a Bale, who have spent the past 16 months working with farmers across NSW, SA and QLD to keep them going through one of the worst droughts in history.
Many farmers have reduced their herd sizes to a bare minimum and are struggling with day to day costs of even feeding themselves. Farm equipment and other infrastructure is breaking down or wearing out and farmers can’t afford to fix it or don’t have the time. That is where the Farm Rescue and Outback Links volunteers come in.

The dedicated volunteers have been placed on properties to repair or replace broken equipment and rebuild infrastructure, assisting the farmers to generate income and be less reliant on support.

The volunteers will have a unique experience, visiting some of the worst drought-affected areas and providing help to struggling Aussies. But it’s not all work. Country music star Sara Storer has volunteered her time to perform a concert on Thursday 28 November at Lightning Ridge Bowling Club.

A second Farm Rescue bus trip will depart Brisbane on Sunday, November 30 to support farmers in the South Western region of Mitchell/Dunkeld (QLD).

To register as a volunteer go to www.outbacklinks.com.au