Latest news with #RuralAid
ABC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Rock the Recovery Concert
Join, ABC Radio Brisbane and Queensland presenters Kelly Higgins-Devine and Adam Stephen for an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, and a shared commitment to Queensland's future. Whether you're passionate about live music, community support, or Queensland's resilience, this event offers a chance to stand united as we Rock the Recovery. BUY TICKETS Location: ABC Brisbane Auditorium ABC Brisbane Auditorium Date : 3 July 2025 : 3 July 2025 Doors open: 6.15pm 6.15pm Time: 6.30pm to 9.00pm 6.30pm to 9.00pm Cost: $20.00 plus booking fee This special two-and-a-half-hour broadcast will feature performances from some of Australia's most beloved artists, including Jem Cassar-Daly, Graeme Connors, Jenny Wynter, and the Australian Army Band. Alongside the music, you'll hear moving stories from farmers and regional communities' stories of resilience, strength, and the long road to recovery. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Rural Aid, who are providing support, assistance, and long-term recovery services to our rural communities. Be part of Queensland's comeback. Grab your ticket now. BUY TICKETS
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Incredible rural scene brings 'glimmer of hope' to struggling Aussies
Driving down a dusty, dry Aussie road on Thursday morning, Dorothy Crosby was mesmerised by the incredible scene unfolding in front of her. There, in the middle of drought-stricken South Australia, a rainbow suddenly appeared like a 'glimmer of hope' in the sky after a sprinkle of much-needed rainfall. 'When I saw that rainbow, I just thought this hay is like a gift of hope as well,' the counsellor for Rural Aid told Yahoo News Australia. For the past few weeks she has been helping deliver bales of feed to struggling farmers in the lower Flinders Ranges as the entire state continues to suffer through a historic two-year-long drought, which has forced many to sell off large portions of their livestock. 'On the ground, I see the encouragement that that hay is bringing,' Crosby said. 'The farmers themselves are so resilient, and they're managing their resources as wisely as they can. A lot of them have had to de-stock, and they're just trying to sustain their breeding stock so that when the drought ends, they can kind of rebuild again. But I think that they need to be seen.' Farmers around the country are under significant strain, with those in south-eastern Australia praying for rain and others in NSW begging for the 'one-in-500 year' floods to stop. Answering their calls for help has also placed pressure on charities dedicated to helping Australia's agriculture community, with several rallying in recent weeks and travelling thousands of kilometres to drop off hay donations to hundreds of rural properties in SA. Over the King's Birthday weekend, a whopping 2,000 tonnes of hay loaded onto 40 trucks were handed out to 86 families in the Fleurieu Peninsula by Need for Feed volunteers. Rapid Relief Team volunteers also travelled more than 1,700km to drop off supplies to over 200 farmers in the mid-north, with Rural Aid, Aussie Hay Runners and Farmer's Relief Agency all joining the collaborative effort. Leon Hams, a sheep farmer for over 30 years, told Yahoo he was 'excited' to recently receive 11 bales from Rapid Relief, and that the effort was 'very much appreciated' by everyone in the Jamestown area. The lingering drought forced Hams to sell half of his livestock earlier this year so he could properly care for those animals that remained. 'It's been very hard trying to survive and put feed on the table and pay your bills — your power bills and your fuel bills, they don't disappear, you still got to pay them,' Hams, who is now using the donated hay 'sparingly' and intermittently with barley, said. He added it has been a 'very hard and difficult year' for everyone in his community, with some farmers forced to refinance their properties just to keep up. 'It's just been a real disaster. It's not just the farmers. Everyone talks about the farmers, but it's not just the farmers. It's the whole community. The town's suffering because the farmers haven't got the money to spend at the businesses in town,' he said, noting his dad, who has lived off the land his entire life, said he's never seen a drought this bad before. Parts of the state received some patchy rainfall last weekend, bringing some slight relief, but much more consistent precipitation is needed. 'It's given everyone a little bit of hope for the future. Unfortunately, it doesn't rain feed, but it'll start the feed off. Let's hope we have a good, reasonable year this year, and break even and go on the following years, and we don't have to ever experience this again.' Sadly, the Bureau of Meteorology's long-range forecast predicts rainfall will likely remain below average across southwestern WA, far south-eastern SA, much of Victoria and the alpine region of NSW throughout July. However, more help is on the way, with SA farmers expected to receive another 6,000 bales of feed from WA by the end of next month. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Latest twists in Farmer Wants a Wife and that icy farm farewell confrontation
Just when we thought we were getting to the pointy end of the stick of this season of Farmer Wants a Wife, no, Nat throws a spanner in the works and brings in a fresh bunch of potential wives. But first, there is much excitement this week, as they prepare for a calendar photoshoot for Rural Aid. Yes, you read that correctly. While Farmer Tom wastes no time stripping off to jump in the bathtub naked and in a pile of fleece while the ladies get snapping. Farmer Thomas modestly announces he is Mr December because he's "a gift". It's here that we find out Clarette is a little touchy after his date with Ellen the previous night and launches a full-blown investigation into it - who kissed who, did she ask permission to kiss Thomas, was it a good kiss, etc. Then it's off to the Harvest Festival, where the farmers and their ladies all catch up. Upon arrival, we see there's a kissing booth, which no doubt Clarette will be watching like a hawk. Farmer Thomas admits to catching up with his original strongest contender Claire to the other farmers, as a way to find closure on her unexpected departure. He explains that Clarette was a tad cranky by this decision. So that's two strikes at the moment. "Yikes," Farmer Corey remarks. Host Nat arrives and announces she has rounded up a new bunch of potential wives and with no further ado, in the 12 of them stroll clapping and squealing with excitement. "Here's trouble coming over," the newly liberated Farmer Tom says. They enjoy a session of dry apple bobbing, where the apples are tied to tree branches on string and the competitors must try and grab them in their mouth. It's like eating spaghetti on a first date, nobody looks good doing it. Surely pin the tail on the donkey was next until they were interrupted without warning, by the original ladies who are less than impressed to find their turf has been set upon by a bunch of intruders. Then Nat tells each farmer they must select only five ladies to accompany them back to the farm, meaning a double farewell is on the cards. But first, Ellen decides she's going home because she feels like they don't have a strong enough emotional connection. So she tells Farmer Thomas she is pulling out of the race. It must be deja vu for him after Claire cited the same reason for her premature departure. Farmer Tom tells viewers things aren't going to work out with Emma, but Emma remains optimistic and tells us he is going in for another kiss, so it an incredibly awkward watch when he pulls her aside to tell her the bad news. Then after been given the cold shoulder by Clarette all day at the Harvest Festival, Farmer Thomas pinches some flower decorations off the table and pulls her aside in an attempt to earn her trust again. He apologises for catching up with Claire, but she takes a while to thaw out. So he gets down on one begs her to forgive him. That does the trick. She's reassured he sees a future with her and they kiss. "If I screw up, get the cattle prodder out and zap me," he instructs Clarette. Then it's back to the farms for everyone; the newbies are excited, the originals not so much. One optimistic new contender arrives at the homestead and announce she "can't wait to raise some kids here". It's not just hearts breaking on this program, one of Farmer Tom's new arrivals jumps on the bed and swiftly snaps the legs on it. Hopefully, her farmstay doesn't remain on that plummeting trajectory. All the farmers take the newbies out on group dates to get to know them better, again the newbies are a bit more enthusiastic about this idea than the originals. Farmer Tom asks Tijan what she loved the most about the farm so far, and she says "nothing yet". The writing is on the wall there. They return to awkward scenes and suspicions are running high among the originals as to what they may have all got up to. Clarette is most concerned about it, especially after she missed out on a tractor ride earlier in the day while all the other ladies got a go for a spin with Farmer Thomas. Before we know it there's another farm farewell. Just when we thought we were getting to the pointy end of the stick of this season of Farmer Wants a Wife, no, Nat throws a spanner in the works and brings in a fresh bunch of potential wives. But first, there is much excitement this week, as they prepare for a calendar photoshoot for Rural Aid. Yes, you read that correctly. While Farmer Tom wastes no time stripping off to jump in the bathtub naked and in a pile of fleece while the ladies get snapping. Farmer Thomas modestly announces he is Mr December because he's "a gift". It's here that we find out Clarette is a little touchy after his date with Ellen the previous night and launches a full-blown investigation into it - who kissed who, did she ask permission to kiss Thomas, was it a good kiss, etc. Then it's off to the Harvest Festival, where the farmers and their ladies all catch up. Upon arrival, we see there's a kissing booth, which no doubt Clarette will be watching like a hawk. Farmer Thomas admits to catching up with his original strongest contender Claire to the other farmers, as a way to find closure on her unexpected departure. He explains that Clarette was a tad cranky by this decision. So that's two strikes at the moment. "Yikes," Farmer Corey remarks. Host Nat arrives and announces she has rounded up a new bunch of potential wives and with no further ado, in the 12 of them stroll clapping and squealing with excitement. "Here's trouble coming over," the newly liberated Farmer Tom says. They enjoy a session of dry apple bobbing, where the apples are tied to tree branches on string and the competitors must try and grab them in their mouth. It's like eating spaghetti on a first date, nobody looks good doing it. Surely pin the tail on the donkey was next until they were interrupted without warning, by the original ladies who are less than impressed to find their turf has been set upon by a bunch of intruders. Then Nat tells each farmer they must select only five ladies to accompany them back to the farm, meaning a double farewell is on the cards. But first, Ellen decides she's going home because she feels like they don't have a strong enough emotional connection. So she tells Farmer Thomas she is pulling out of the race. It must be deja vu for him after Claire cited the same reason for her premature departure. Farmer Tom tells viewers things aren't going to work out with Emma, but Emma remains optimistic and tells us he is going in for another kiss, so it an incredibly awkward watch when he pulls her aside to tell her the bad news. Then after been given the cold shoulder by Clarette all day at the Harvest Festival, Farmer Thomas pinches some flower decorations off the table and pulls her aside in an attempt to earn her trust again. He apologises for catching up with Claire, but she takes a while to thaw out. So he gets down on one begs her to forgive him. That does the trick. She's reassured he sees a future with her and they kiss. "If I screw up, get the cattle prodder out and zap me," he instructs Clarette. Then it's back to the farms for everyone; the newbies are excited, the originals not so much. One optimistic new contender arrives at the homestead and announce she "can't wait to raise some kids here". It's not just hearts breaking on this program, one of Farmer Tom's new arrivals jumps on the bed and swiftly snaps the legs on it. Hopefully, her farmstay doesn't remain on that plummeting trajectory. All the farmers take the newbies out on group dates to get to know them better, again the newbies are a bit more enthusiastic about this idea than the originals. Farmer Tom asks Tijan what she loved the most about the farm so far, and she says "nothing yet". The writing is on the wall there. They return to awkward scenes and suspicions are running high among the originals as to what they may have all got up to. Clarette is most concerned about it, especially after she missed out on a tractor ride earlier in the day while all the other ladies got a go for a spin with Farmer Thomas. Before we know it there's another farm farewell. Just when we thought we were getting to the pointy end of the stick of this season of Farmer Wants a Wife, no, Nat throws a spanner in the works and brings in a fresh bunch of potential wives. But first, there is much excitement this week, as they prepare for a calendar photoshoot for Rural Aid. Yes, you read that correctly. While Farmer Tom wastes no time stripping off to jump in the bathtub naked and in a pile of fleece while the ladies get snapping. Farmer Thomas modestly announces he is Mr December because he's "a gift". It's here that we find out Clarette is a little touchy after his date with Ellen the previous night and launches a full-blown investigation into it - who kissed who, did she ask permission to kiss Thomas, was it a good kiss, etc. Then it's off to the Harvest Festival, where the farmers and their ladies all catch up. Upon arrival, we see there's a kissing booth, which no doubt Clarette will be watching like a hawk. Farmer Thomas admits to catching up with his original strongest contender Claire to the other farmers, as a way to find closure on her unexpected departure. He explains that Clarette was a tad cranky by this decision. So that's two strikes at the moment. "Yikes," Farmer Corey remarks. Host Nat arrives and announces she has rounded up a new bunch of potential wives and with no further ado, in the 12 of them stroll clapping and squealing with excitement. "Here's trouble coming over," the newly liberated Farmer Tom says. They enjoy a session of dry apple bobbing, where the apples are tied to tree branches on string and the competitors must try and grab them in their mouth. It's like eating spaghetti on a first date, nobody looks good doing it. Surely pin the tail on the donkey was next until they were interrupted without warning, by the original ladies who are less than impressed to find their turf has been set upon by a bunch of intruders. Then Nat tells each farmer they must select only five ladies to accompany them back to the farm, meaning a double farewell is on the cards. But first, Ellen decides she's going home because she feels like they don't have a strong enough emotional connection. So she tells Farmer Thomas she is pulling out of the race. It must be deja vu for him after Claire cited the same reason for her premature departure. Farmer Tom tells viewers things aren't going to work out with Emma, but Emma remains optimistic and tells us he is going in for another kiss, so it an incredibly awkward watch when he pulls her aside to tell her the bad news. Then after been given the cold shoulder by Clarette all day at the Harvest Festival, Farmer Thomas pinches some flower decorations off the table and pulls her aside in an attempt to earn her trust again. He apologises for catching up with Claire, but she takes a while to thaw out. So he gets down on one begs her to forgive him. That does the trick. She's reassured he sees a future with her and they kiss. "If I screw up, get the cattle prodder out and zap me," he instructs Clarette. Then it's back to the farms for everyone; the newbies are excited, the originals not so much. One optimistic new contender arrives at the homestead and announce she "can't wait to raise some kids here". It's not just hearts breaking on this program, one of Farmer Tom's new arrivals jumps on the bed and swiftly snaps the legs on it. Hopefully, her farmstay doesn't remain on that plummeting trajectory. All the farmers take the newbies out on group dates to get to know them better, again the newbies are a bit more enthusiastic about this idea than the originals. Farmer Tom asks Tijan what she loved the most about the farm so far, and she says "nothing yet". The writing is on the wall there. They return to awkward scenes and suspicions are running high among the originals as to what they may have all got up to. Clarette is most concerned about it, especially after she missed out on a tractor ride earlier in the day while all the other ladies got a go for a spin with Farmer Thomas. Before we know it there's another farm farewell. Just when we thought we were getting to the pointy end of the stick of this season of Farmer Wants a Wife, no, Nat throws a spanner in the works and brings in a fresh bunch of potential wives. But first, there is much excitement this week, as they prepare for a calendar photoshoot for Rural Aid. Yes, you read that correctly. While Farmer Tom wastes no time stripping off to jump in the bathtub naked and in a pile of fleece while the ladies get snapping. Farmer Thomas modestly announces he is Mr December because he's "a gift". It's here that we find out Clarette is a little touchy after his date with Ellen the previous night and launches a full-blown investigation into it - who kissed who, did she ask permission to kiss Thomas, was it a good kiss, etc. Then it's off to the Harvest Festival, where the farmers and their ladies all catch up. Upon arrival, we see there's a kissing booth, which no doubt Clarette will be watching like a hawk. Farmer Thomas admits to catching up with his original strongest contender Claire to the other farmers, as a way to find closure on her unexpected departure. He explains that Clarette was a tad cranky by this decision. So that's two strikes at the moment. "Yikes," Farmer Corey remarks. Host Nat arrives and announces she has rounded up a new bunch of potential wives and with no further ado, in the 12 of them stroll clapping and squealing with excitement. "Here's trouble coming over," the newly liberated Farmer Tom says. They enjoy a session of dry apple bobbing, where the apples are tied to tree branches on string and the competitors must try and grab them in their mouth. It's like eating spaghetti on a first date, nobody looks good doing it. Surely pin the tail on the donkey was next until they were interrupted without warning, by the original ladies who are less than impressed to find their turf has been set upon by a bunch of intruders. Then Nat tells each farmer they must select only five ladies to accompany them back to the farm, meaning a double farewell is on the cards. But first, Ellen decides she's going home because she feels like they don't have a strong enough emotional connection. So she tells Farmer Thomas she is pulling out of the race. It must be deja vu for him after Claire cited the same reason for her premature departure. Farmer Tom tells viewers things aren't going to work out with Emma, but Emma remains optimistic and tells us he is going in for another kiss, so it an incredibly awkward watch when he pulls her aside to tell her the bad news. Then after been given the cold shoulder by Clarette all day at the Harvest Festival, Farmer Thomas pinches some flower decorations off the table and pulls her aside in an attempt to earn her trust again. He apologises for catching up with Claire, but she takes a while to thaw out. So he gets down on one begs her to forgive him. That does the trick. She's reassured he sees a future with her and they kiss. "If I screw up, get the cattle prodder out and zap me," he instructs Clarette. Then it's back to the farms for everyone; the newbies are excited, the originals not so much. One optimistic new contender arrives at the homestead and announce she "can't wait to raise some kids here". It's not just hearts breaking on this program, one of Farmer Tom's new arrivals jumps on the bed and swiftly snaps the legs on it. Hopefully, her farmstay doesn't remain on that plummeting trajectory. All the farmers take the newbies out on group dates to get to know them better, again the newbies are a bit more enthusiastic about this idea than the originals. Farmer Tom asks Tijan what she loved the most about the farm so far, and she says "nothing yet". The writing is on the wall there. They return to awkward scenes and suspicions are running high among the originals as to what they may have all got up to. Clarette is most concerned about it, especially after she missed out on a tractor ride earlier in the day while all the other ladies got a go for a spin with Farmer Thomas. Before we know it there's another farm farewell.
