In August, the Crookwell Women’s Association (CWA) organised the three-vehicle convey to Dubbo to deliver over 180 packs and boxes of food.

These donations were from “generous” members of the community and delivered by campaigner Tina Hedley and volunteers, it followed the Farmer-2-Farmer appeal.

Packs arrived in Dubbo and were delivered to Dubbo Lions to distribute.

Further donations were received from Sydney, Wollongong, Goulburn, the south coast and Western Australia, said CWA member Susan Reynolds.

“Our care packs provided a little comfort, a gift of hope and to let them know that we, as a farming community, understand” Mrs Reynolds explained. 

Janice and Tim Montgomery from Dubbo expressed to the community.

“They helped us very much it’s wonderful to have those so you don’t have to dig into your overdraft to buy food for your animals and yourself,” said Mr Montgomery.

“It’s a lovely gesture from the people down there,” he added.

It is the first time that Mr Montgomery and his wife have been in debt, in overdraft debt, he said.

“We haven’t had an income for two years

“We’ve been very lucky we’ve had some rain, and it saved our cattle, and another $40,000 in feeding them.

“We’ve got the green feed and I’m stripping about three or four bags of wheat which will get us our seed back,” Mr Montgomery said.

“I’m 65, and I haven’t seen it as bad as this.

“There’s worse people worse off than us in Queensland, who’ve been eight years in drought,” he said.

Crookwell Primary School students sent paintings, cards and letters of encouragement included in each pack.  

The community banded together, said Mrs Reynolds.

“St Bart’s made their hall available as a collection and packing facility, Crookwell Lions collected the donation bins.”

Mrs Reynolds coordinated the logistics and campaign, and together with several local community volunteers sorted donated gifts and placed them into care packs.  

Additionally, a further $26,000 was donated to Crookwell CWA Day Branch by businesses from Sydney, local farmers and individuals.

These donations have been deposited with NSW CWA Disaster Relief Fund.  

This fund provides $3000 grants to enable farmers to pay for accounts, living expenses and to spend within their local community.

Lillian Marshall, CWA president received a thank you card from the Montgomerys: “Things are looking up with the beautiful rain we have had. We hope to do the same for others, when we can.” A big “thank you” is extended to the whole community, Mrs Reynolds said.