Farm Rescue Comes Around Again

One of the best experiences we had during 2018 was participating in the Farm Rescue program run by Rural Aid.  So when the schedule of rescues was announced for 2019, we were happy to sign up for the ones we could do.

This year the program kicked off in Kyabram and Killawarra.  The farm rescue model had been changed a bit since the previous year, and, rather than a single team working on a single farm, the rescue comprised teams working on several farms in an area, and also teams working on projects to help out the community.  This came about because the Farm Rescue program is becoming very popular and lots of good souls are wanting to put up their hand to come and help.  Isn’t that great?  So 40 or so of these good souls were descending on the showgrounds in Kyabram for a week.  

The crowd getting fired up at Kyabram

We, however, were a little bit different.  We had been allocated a farm in Killawarra, but because it was 130km from Kyabram, we weren’t going to be based at the showgrounds with everyone else.  The 7 members of our team were going to be based “on farm”, just like we’d been used to last year.  

So on Saturday our team arrived at set up and got down to getting to know each other and getting to know our farmers.  J and C were a little “paddock to plate” farming operation, producing fine quality lamb and beef.  It was a fledgling business but it was building and they were putting their everything into it.  But then they were dealt a terrible blow when they lost their baby girl at only a few weeks old.  Getting back on track after that was proving a huge hurdle and they needed a hand.

This was the first time Doug and I had been made team leaders, so there was a bit to do in organising materials, work schedules and catering, but we were looking forward to it.  The main job was to re-clad their old farmhouse, replacing the old asbestos sheeting.  The sheds needed new guttering and spouting, we had some turf to lay, gardening to do, vehicles to service and a watering system to install.  There was also a bit of fencing to repair and some tree work.  Not much really for five days!!!!

A beautiful piece of redgum - dressed and made into a sign for the entrance to the property

Our team was small, but quality.  Bret, our plumber got stuck in to the guttering and water catchment work while Brett our chippie and his trusty team (his wife Lexie, Marg and Rob) got started on the house.  Rob is a retired diesel mechanic and was only too happy to service the cars and truck on the property.  C’s parents also came down for the week to lend a hand with jobs and to help care for their two little girls, F and L.  Everybody got stuck in and we all soon found our rhythm and things were really starting to take shape.

Lexie and Marg dressed to insulate!

Ready for the cladding now

The weather was hot, but the team kept going, finding ways to combat the heat.  Gatorade was a popular refreshment, as were lots and lots of icy poles.  Evenings were spent enjoying hearty dinners and good company and we usually retreated to bed early, tired out from the work of the day.  

J and Bret doing a wonderful spit roast lamb for dinner

It was decided to start early on our last morning, giving it one big push to get the cladding finished and the rest of the jobs tidied up, and to try and avoid the worst of the heat, so the team hit the ground running at 7.30am.  By 1.30pm we were there!  Much celebrations as the house looked fantastic, as did all the rest of the jobs.  Just to see C’s reaction when the turf was laid outside the kitchen window was worth all the work.  Her dad said he hadn’t heard her laugh like that in a long time.

It's funny what a little green grass can do.

Heritage fencing - new boards cut and repairs made

The chook house had a bit of a makeover too

The last board goes up on a long hot job

Before we knew it, it was Friday and that was our cue to pack up and leave.  The rest of the Farm Rescuers would be finishing up their work today, and there was to be a final-night dinner and award ceremony back in Kyabram.  Unfortunately only half our team could attend.  Lexie and Brett and Bret the plumber had to high-tail it back to Melbourne to get ready to return to their normal lives and jobs.  How wonderful are these people that they give up their own time and take time off their work to volunteer for a week?  But Doug and I and Marg and Rob were proud to fly the flag for the “Killa Team”.

The Killa Team

It was great to catch up with friends we’d made on previous rescues and to hear all about how their weeks had gone.  There was lots of new faces too.  It was a great atmosphere in the dinner hall that night and there was much cheering and clapping as awards were given out.  

Award night celebrations

The first Farm Rescue of the year has come and gone and we learned a lot once again.  We worked hard, gave it a good shot and the jobs got done, and we had some fun along the way.  That’s what matters isn’t it?  I think so.

Goodbye 2018 – Hello 2019

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and I know my blog is woefully behind our times so it seemed easiest to give you a whistle-stop tour of our last few months.  Since finishing the farm rescue in Forbes at the end of October we’ve been on a kind of holiday; no work or projects blocked in, but time with our family and friends to look forward to.  So apologies for this post being more of a journal entry than a travel blog, but we have been just dawdling along really.

We left Forbes and meandered south through central New South Wales.  It was an area we hadn’t visited before so it was nice to be able to take our time and explore.  We moved through Condobolin and on to Lake Cargelligo, where we enjoyed a few days in Frog Hollow, a great spot beside the lake.  

Camped on the shores of Lake Cargelligo

The unbelievable Church on the Farm near Lake Cargelligo

Beautiful ceiling mural inside and perfect acoustics

Then on to the lovely agricultural town of Griffith.  Built on the back of the Murrumbidgee irrigation scheme, Griffith is surrounded by farms, mostly growing citrus, and their industry thrives even in dry times, due to the use of channels and pumped water being used to efficiently irrigate the trees.

The view from the Hermits Cave outside Griffith

While we were in Griffith, we took a tour of a local citrus farm.  It was a hot day, and we were the only takers, so we got a very personalised experience, being driven around the property in the farmer’s ute and shown inside various sheds and buildings.  I tasted a kumquat off the tree, which I’d never had before.  When I was young, my mother used to make kumquat liqueur and I always believed them to be a bitter, sour fruit.  But it was lovely – a real mix of sour and sweet.  So if you haven’t tried one, take a chance.

From Griffith we travelled south and before too long found ourselves crossing the Murray and entering Victoria again.  We had left seven months previously and we were excited to be back on “home ground”.

We spent a week hanging out with our friends Marshal and Suzie on their farm, helping out where we could and generally playing with their cows!! 

Milkshakes - straight out of the vat - OMG so yum!!!

Me and  Number 5 - you better check to see that I don't take her with me.

After saying another reluctant goodbye, we moved a whole 30km up the road to Echuca, where we attended the annual gathering of Sunland Caravan owners.  Each year they meet up in a different spot to enjoy each others’ company and explore the local area.  We enjoyed our week with them, coming away with lots of ideas for tweaks and ideas to make our van even better than it already is!!!

Aerial view of the Sunland muster

Enjoying dinner on a Murray River cruise

Straight after this, it was the weekend of our four-wheel drive club’s annual Xmas weekend, so we found ourselves travelling diagonally from one side of the state to the other to attend the party in Glenmaggie.  It was a bit of a trek, but it was great to catch up with friends after such a long time.

Since we were over in the Gippsland area, we thought we’d take in another part of Victoria that we hadn’t explored before.  The wilderness of far east and central Gippsland, particularly Croajigalong National Park and Wilsons Promontory were areas we had never spent time in.  The coast line was rugged and the forests were thick – and the weather was awful.  Sorry, but this intrepid camper is used to the warmth and sunshine of further north, so when the weather turned and we were faced with digging out waterproof jackets and jeans, we were a little taken aback.

Walking down to 90 Mile Beach

The rocks above Genoa Falls

Point Hicks on the walk up to the lighthouse (note the crap weather)

Quarry Beach near Mallacoota

The fabulous silt jetties near Paynesville

Swans at Metung

Tidal River on a good day (thankfully we got to see it like this)

We spent two weeks exploring the coast and hinterland before finally spitting the dummy and deciding to head north a bit to Yarrawonga to spend a week in the warmth of the Murray River sunshine before we were due to arrive in Melbourne.

Our camp at Forges Beach at Yarrawonga

We shared our campsite with these beauties - Rainbow Bee Eaters

Earlier in the year, during a video call with the grandies, we had promised that we would visit for Xmas.  It was lovely to be able to have that time with our family again, catching up on news and seeing how much the little ones had grown.  It was also reassuring to know that they are all doing fine, even though Mum and Dad aren’t always around (although always at the end of the phone).  We spent a happy Xmas Day with our family while being welcomed into Natalie’s family for Xmas lunch. 

Boxing Day saw us moving on again, although not too far, to a farm sit we had agreed to in Yellingbo.  The lovely Elliott family were going on holidays and we had agreed to farm-sit for them.  This involved setting up our van on their property, enjoying their wonderful views and taking care of their cattle and two Border Collies, Sam and Silva. 

In the depths of the forest is the historic Kurth Kiln

This was our view every day

Our days were spent in peace and tranquillity; we lingered over breakfast, took a jaunt around the property to check the cattle, and had lazy afternoons by the pool.  Wow!  What a way to spend a month.  The dogs were a delight, and we so enjoyed having them in our life, if only for a short time.

Love these two - Sam and Silva

After leaving the farm, we slowly made our way west (ish), in time to meet our friends David and Jayne, to spend Australia Day weekend with them. 

We had chosen Wooroonook Lakes, near the little town of Charlton in the Mallee region.  It was a week of searingly high temperatures (one day reaching 46 degrees), so we were glad to be able to hook up to power to use Darth (our affectionate name for our air conditioner) when we needed to and to also have the cool waters of the lake to dunk in and float about in the shallows.

Wooroonook Lakes - a beautiful spot

It was a great weekend, spent with great friends; and also Espresso Martinis!!

Time was marching on, and we had an important event on the horizon, that needed our full attention.  We packed up and left Wooroonook and started making our way eastwards. 

We spent a few days in the alpine town of Mansfield.  It’s a pretty town, with a bustling main street and surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.  It’s a busy town all year, with 4WDers and campers using it as a stocking-up point in summer, before heading into the hills and skiers and snow-lovers flocking to nearby Mt Buller in the winter.

Further south of Mansfield is the little town of Jamieson, and a little further south again is the tiny hamlet of Kevington.  The campground at Kevington called Skipworth Reserve, right on the banks of the Goulburn River, was to be the setting for our important event.

My wonderful husband Doug turned 50 last week, and we had planned a low-key gathering of family and friends to help him celebrate the milestone.  We arrived early to claim a good spot and were joined slowly over the week by some of our nearest and dearest, until things reached a peak on Saturday. 

Most of his presents involved alcohol - what does that say?

Long table dinner with one or two family and friends

We counted 16 King Parrots on our awning one day

The beautiful Goulburn River

It meant a lot to both of us that those we love took the time to come all that way to help to make his birthday a memorable one.  Our thanks go to all of you.

So that pretty much brings you all up to date!  2018 finished quietly but happily.  It was a brilliant year filled with new places and unbelievable experiences for us both.  We’re now into 2019, and we have a lot of the year mapped out already.  We’ll see where we end up – who knows? 

Here's to 2019 and all it brings.

Mega Farm Rescue - Forbes October 2018

We had worked with Rural Aid on a few Farm Rescues during 2018 and were blown away by the experiences we had.  


Farm Rescues aim to send a team of volunteers onto a farm to help out with whatever the farmers need; often it’s not farming-related jobs, but things that they just can’t get to because they don’t have the time and/or money to get to themselves.  It’s hopefully helping to improve their quality of life and give them a foot up with things.  Often it’s just letting them know that somebody does give a damn.


But the Forbes Mega Farm Rescue was a different animal.  When Charles Alder, the CEO of Rural Aid, mentioned the idea to us round a campfire one night it seemed incredible.  More so, because he wanted this to happen in only a few short months time.  The amount of work to pull it all together was huge; and yet, on Thursday 11 October 2018, Doug and I pulled into the show grounds in Forbes to set up our van for what was going to be an epic couple of weeks.


The week itself kicked off on Monday, with over 160 volunteers heading out onto 13 local farms to help with fencing, building projects, machinery repairs, household maintenance - you name it.  But there was a tonne of work before hand getting ready for the volunteers’ arrival.  Over three days we cleaned up and set up a mini “village” which the volunteers would call home while they were helping out.  And we welcomed them all as they arrived and made sure they knew what was happening.  By Sunday afternoon the place was buzzing with excitement as we gathered for our first briefing.  Teams were announced and packs of safety equipment and work shirts were distributed and everyone was really keen to get out there and get going.  


Ground zero - the shed!

Load upon load of donated goods ready to be made up into food hampers

Hampers ready to be distributed

 The “farmy army” comprised of volunteers aged between 28 and 75 and came from around the country to help.  Their days began at 6:30am for breakfast before they headed off to their assigned farms at 8am. From there, they helped out with jobs on the farm until 4pm or 5pm.


Our team was made up of 13 wonderful people from all over the country and all walks of life.  We were ably led by Lee and Rosey (whom we’d worked with previously on 3 other rescues) and we were a tight-knit bunch.  As well as working like a well-oiled machine, we chose to spend most of our down-time together too, gathering for meals together and relaxing round our little campfire in the evenings.  We were christened “The A Team” (probably by ourselves, but it stuck) and I’m sure we were the envy of all the other teams (haha).  

The A Team

The team that eats together.....

Team leader Brandy (and her owner Rosey)




 We had been allocated to a lovely farming family who made us very welcome and appreciated the help we gave them.  The farm was outside Forbes and was owned by I, who farmed sheep and cattle but was struggling with the terrible drought.  The paddocks were barren and the dams were drying up.  I had help on the farm from his sister H and her husband L.  All of them were on the far side of middle age (don’t tell H I said that!!) and although spritely, there were some jobs that weren’t as easy any more.  And older sister S, who is 75, came down from Parkes to spend the week and prepare us the most wonderful morning teas every day.  So you see, we had it very good.


Doug loved the morning teas

 The team had lots to keep us busy over the week.  We lifted the old wool shed floor, which was very worn and dangerous, and laid a new one.  We helped erect new walls in the wool shed. We fixed the fences in the sheep yards outside the shed so they were safe and stable.  We painted the entire outside of I’s house and we helped put up over a kilometre of new fencing.  Oh, and Doug did a bit of tree work too.  It was a busy week; but so rewarding.  To see the change in our farmer over the time we spent with him was heart warming; going from a quiet, reticent man to someone keen to share his knowledge and love of his area and his farm.


 Life in the “village” was great too.  There were about 90 or so set ups in the campground; everything from modest two-man tents to a huge motorhome built from a semi-trailer and everything in between.  We got to know so many lovely people and everyone was there with the same mindset.  There was a huge shed which we used as a dining hall/meeting hall/entertainment hall - everything took place there.  There was a movie night, a Hawaiian-themed dinner and a “Thank You” dinner for all the farmers and their families.  On another evening, the teams were encouraged to head out and sample the delights of the eating houses in Forbes; an initiative to help inject some much-needed funds into the local community.  Our team descended on the local Thai restaurant and were treated to a wonderful banquet.  


Dinner at the Thai restaurant

 The Mega Rescue, due to its size and the scope of what we were doing, created a lot of interest from the local community and from further afield.  We were featured in local papers and on news bulletins and one of the major sponsors, Nova radio’s Fitzy and Wippa, came and did their morning broadcast from the dining hall.   There was going to be a live cross to Sunrise one morning too, but we were bumped by Harry and Meghan!


Fitzy and Wippa's broadcast

Lunches made for us by the local high school students

 All too quickly, the week flew by and Saturday saw most of the volunteers pack up and start travelling home.  After a big tidy-up and helping pack all the gear back in the truck, there was only Rosey and Lee and us left by the end of the day.  The four of us had offered to stay on for a few days as there were a couple of things still to finish off at the farm.  It was a very different place when the “circus” had moved on.  We had a quiet day on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon, we packed up the vans and moved out to the farm, where we spent some peaceful time with the family, finishing off the painting and the wool shed.


Nice and straight now

A load of donated orange pulp for cattle feed

 As I said earlier, this rescue had been very different from those we had been part of earlier in the year.  The earlier ones were just one team and one farm and we stayed on the farm, worked on the farm and prepared our meals and ate on the farm.  The experience in those cases was more intimate and personal.  But the mega rescue was big and bold and fun, and the end result was the same - we were able to form bonds with amazing people, to help someone out and give something back.