Relief appeal to support Esperance farmers

A formal relief appeal has been established to assist farmers who were affected by the fires in the Shire of Esperance.

Working alongside the Shire of Esperance, WAFarmers will assist in the management of a donation register for items including stock feed, clean seeds for next year’s crop, seed millet, agistment placements, items to repair properties such as fencing and water fittings, or any other items that would be useful to those affected.

WAFarmers President Dale Park said the establishment of the appeal would help to ease the suffering of farmers.

“Putting out the fires is only the first step; after that is when rehabilitation really begins and people can begin to recover,” Mr Park said.

“To this end, we are working with the Shire of Esperance on the appeal register and will have some staff visit Esperance once the fires are out to assist farmers where need be.

“WAFarmers has a CBH receival number which growers can donate grain to, with money raised to go directly to helping affected farmers in the region.

“Additionally, we encourage people who do not have grain but who would like to donate to deposit funds to WAFarmers and we will ensure those funds are entirely redirected on to the ground.”

Mr Park said though the fires had devastated the community, they were showing great resilience.

“It is always during dark times that you see peoples’ best natures shining through to help those less fortunate or who have lost everything,” he said.

“Nothing can fully replace what was lost during these devastating fires, especially when people have lost loved ones, but we hope that this appeal will help in some small way to get farmers on track to rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.”

Information on how to complete a grain donation using the WAFarmers CBH receival number or how to donate funds can be found here.

Check the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website (www.dfes.wa.gov.au) and Twitter feed (@dfes_wa) for the latest information on the fires and for evacuation information.

ENDS.

All media requests must be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Melanie Dunn on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].

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