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.
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| 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!!!!
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| 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.
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| Lexie and Marg dressed to insulate! |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| It's funny what a little green grass can do. |
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| Heritage fencing - new boards cut and repairs made |
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| The chook house had a bit of a makeover too |
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| 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”.
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| 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.
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| 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.
