Community
6 August, 2025
Rotary Clubs fundraise for battling farmers
ROTARY has established a new fund in a bid to raise $500,000 in support of western Victorian farmers battling drought conditions.
The Western Victoria Drought Emergency Relief Fund has recently been launched as a joint-venture between Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and Farmers Relief Agency to support farmers struggling with the lingering impacts of the drought.
RAWCS chair Heather Chong said the body would also be working with Rotary District 9780, which represents the more than 50 Rotary Clubs from across south and west Victoria and South Australia, to gain a deeper understanding of local needs.
“The funds will be collected by RAWCS but the local clubs on the ground will be the ones working on how that money will be spent,” she said.
“We don’t dictate where it’s going to go – it’s about local Rotarians working with local farmers to see what they need.
“We’ve been working with Farmers Relief Agency as they source and deliver feed.
“Once we know what the farmers need from our local Rotarians, we’ll work with the Farmers Relief Agency to get what the livestock need delivered with all the biosecurity measures in place.”
It is hoped the fund will reach $500,000, which at the time of publication has already surged to $111,435.
“It’s excellent,” Ms Chong said.
“The reality is we need the half a million dollars but every dollar helps along the way.”
Ms Chong said Rotarians had been inspired to lend a hand after seeing what farming communities across the south west were battling through.
“Western Victoria is having a dreadful drought,” she said.
“Some of the pictures and comments from the farmers are just heartbreaking.
“We saw the devastation that’s happening, so RAWCS wanted to get involved.
“We have put together national-level fundraisers for floods and bushfires, but drought is just as devastating for the people involved.”
Ms Chong said while initial efforts will focus around getting feed where it is needed, Rotarians also understood ongoing support would be a necessity.
“One of the longer-term things we’re thinking about with this is we’ll be reaching out to the farmers so we’ve got the capacity to talk to people,” she said.
“Today you might need food for your stock, but three months down the line you might need some mental health assistance or somebody to talk to.
“This is not a quick-fix project – it has the potential to go on for some time, which is important.”
Rotary Club of Cobden president Lesley Brown said this initiative was “extremely important” during a time where the whole region was still struck by drought.
“Farmers are very proud and want to do for themselves but at the moment they need a bit of help, so that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said.
“If they fill in the form via the QR code, it will go to the Rotary District 9780 drought coordinator Noel Howard.
“We’ll discuss their specific needs for farm relief and figure out the next steps.
“The drought is not farmers’ fault but they have to work through it.
“That’s what Rotary do when there’s situations like this – we fundraised for the fires as well, and now we’re fundraising for farmers.”
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