Farmers to benefit from F.O.O.D Week feast

It was a day of good fun, fantastic food and delicious wine, but more than that the Feast for Farmers fundraiser on 6 April made nearly $40,000 to help out farmers in need.

For their F.O.O.D. Week event, Heifer Station partnered with the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak to get much-needed funds into the hands of farming families doing it tough during this extraordinary drought.

And the 300 punters who attended were very generous, said Phillip Stivens, who owns Heifer Station along with his wife Michelle.

“We were out here to make money for the farmers, and we had a great auction, great raffle items and it all went exceptionally well,” said Phillip

“People were very generous, they really were. A little tractor donated by On-Trac Ag for instance made nearly double what you could buy it in the shop… It was that was the sort of day. People were exceptionally generous and there to support the farmers.”

Phillip said they are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak for their support of the fundraiser and work as volunteers on the day.

“And thankyou to the students from James Sheahan Hospitality who were there to help with the servicing of the food and with the lunch — they were brilliant.”

Raymon Fleming, President Elect of Orange Daybreak said the club was happy to assist with such a good cause.

“It was excellent. We had around 30 to 35 members involved before, on the day, and after it. They tell me the total figure is creeping up towards $40,000, which is a great result,” said Raymon.

“Phillip and Michelle are insisting that it be spent in the Central West area, so we will go to places like the CWA, The National Farmers Federation and get information on how to help the people who need it most at this point in time.

“We are not expecting to buy stock food; this money is to go to the families for whatever they need to continue on with a normal life. The members in the club, all of us, are keen to get it done ASAP!”

If anyone is interested in the work of the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak, Raymon said they are always happy to chat to prospective members.

“They can get in touch, have a look at out our Facebook page and our website. They can also visit us at the Farmers markets and have a bit of time to talk to us face-to-face, or we meet every Wednesday morning at Waratahs Sports Club at 7am.”