"I have had a gut full" is now a common expression amongst the farming communities around the Riverina and Kyabram areas of our District. Many communities are now in their 3rd year of drought with either no income or negative income: many are close to opting out; others will probably carry on for as long as possible due to not having a suitable alternative. Typically, estimated crops at the beginning of the year were approximately 4 tonne to the hectare, now it will be probably be less than 1 tonne per hectare. This is after purchasing seed, fertiliser, fuel and many other associated costs. In short, there are many who are facing an unmitigated disaster. With the crop failure, the farming community face losses of in excess of $200 million.

Typical examples include the above where fruit fall to the ground or fruit trees are just ripped out, all due to the lack of water.

Furthermore, it is not just the farmers who are suffering - the local business people are facing similar problems because they do not have customers. For example, many medical practitioners (physiotherapists, dentists etc.) are leaving the rural communities for the cities because of the drought and people do not have the money for such "luxuries".

Despite the suffering in certain areas of our District, the Australia wide forecast is for increased crop yield which indicates that some rural communities have an improved outlook particularly in the north and west. In addition, for some regions in our District, links have been established between city and rural communities resulting in considerable amount of support in a wide variety of ways - Booroondara/Moira Shire and Stonnington/Benalla are two examples where considerable support has been given to those in the respective areas.

It is the remaining areas so seriously affected by the drought (Tocumwal, Finley, Jerilderie, Deniliquin and Kyabram areas) that the District Drought and Bush Fire Recovery Committee seeks support from the city based Clubs (Groups 1, 2 and 3) as well as the Clubs based in the regional centres (Albury for example).

Some of the possible options include:

	Voucher System: Providing financial support through Clubs such Finley, Deniliquin and Kyabram who can offer vouchers which will be honoured by the local vendors. This creates a multiplier effect and gives support to more than just the farmers. The vouchers can be used for food, health, fuel and vehicle repair and many other options.
	City clubs with BBQ trailers to assist with catering at locations where the Belvoir Wodonga drought movie trailer is being used (purchase all requires supplies locally again with the assistance of the local Rotary Club where one exists). A great example is the offer by the Pascoe Vale Club to bring a food van/cool room and spend up to $1000 in the local community. There are several "family days" being organised where such assistance and support would be valued the rural Clubs.
	The committee is investigating the possibility of obtaining a Matching Grant through Foundation to assist and equip schools in the drought affected areas with books, uniforms, sporting equipment, computers etc. Links are being established into the regional school co-ordinators to develop the submission.
	Visits by the metro Clubs to the Family/Community Days - for example, on December 14, there will be a day at Yarrawonga being jointly organised by the Yarrawonga and Belvoir Wodonga Clubs. At one such event, a farmer came up to one of the Rotary organisers in tears to express his appreciation for it was the first time in 2 years that his wife had been outside of the farmhouse.
	Invite local children and their parents from the drought affected regions to the city for a function or some event. For example, the Eltham Club recently hosted 30 children to the Eltham Rotary Festival for a fun day out and sent them home with many gifts for themselves and their parents; the Benalla Club in conjunction with the Whitehorse Cluster of clubs from District 9810 took 57 people for a day at the AFL in Melbourne.
	City and Regional Centre Clubs building "partnerships" with Clubs in the drought affected regions and organising exchange visits for golf weekends, picnics etc. so that the local businesses will receive some support.

There are many other options such as "shoe box" Christmas gift packs for ladies, children and men that were very successful last year - an idea from the Reservoir Club, Christmas hampers and ladies "Pamper Days" being organised by the Benalla Club.

Please contact the Drought Committee if your Club is able to assist in any way, shape or form. All money donations should be sent to the District Treasurer and marked for the Drought Relief (District has a separate account for any donations). All contact details are in the District Directory.

DGN/AG Alan Anderson
District Co-ordinator
Drought and Bushfire Recovery Committee

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