Robyn Apps with Gloria Schultz. Margaret Irving, Carmel Brown, Gloria Schultz, Lyn Fitzpatrick and Lyn Webb at the Hospital Auxiliary Coffee Morning.
Gloria Shultz was the guest speaker at the Harden Murrumburrah Hospital Auxiliary morning tea yesterday morning. Gloria spoke about Farmer Aid and how it is assisting ordinary Australians who are struggling to survive.
She said that she became involved in aiding the farmers after her son urged her to get involved. She said, “I headed to the back shed which was previously Albie’s domain, cleared all his tools and set up an area where we, as in my small band of helpers, could work.” She went on to say that they laugh a lot but they also cry as they go about their work in the shed.
Social media was used to get the word out that drought affected farmers were doing it tough, some in areas which haven’t seen real rain in 4 years. A call went out accompanied by a list of staples which people needed desperately and the donated goods began rolling in in huge quantities.
Eighty bags went out in the first drop. Non perishable goods were always welcome but sometimes toiletries and soaps for the ladies were gushed over as most had given up on these nice necessities for some time.
Gloria said, “We were in Forbes last weekend and we took along 40 huge bags of donated goods. Forbes is so near to us and it really brings everything so much closer but we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Aussies in country towns and how they have stepped up to the mark.”
Gloria went on to speak about one lady whose only water was from a dirty dam. When asked how did she drink it she replied, “Well I boil it first.”
These sorts of conditions we relate to third world countries.
They were asked to source a bed for a farmer who had lost his wife and had to sell all his goods to stay afloat. Gloria said she organised a new bed and base to be sent and then other goods including a recliner chair, refrigerator, microwave etc., They also organised some cryvac meat to be sent but when it arrived he couldn’t cut it, as he didn’t have a knife. So that also had to be remedied.
She spoke of a young Queensland couple who both lost their jobs and then their farm, but managed to find work on a farm in NSW after living in their car with all their goods they could carry.
The farmer who hired the couple put them up in a shearing shed and put in a toilet and a kitchen which arrived courtesy of Marie McCarthy in Harden who had replaced hers. Gloria said getting the kitchen out of Marie’s house was fun in itself.
Over 286 families have benefitted from the aid campaign with the 2,000th bag leaving today. She spoke of the support she has had from Woolworths and Cootamundra IGA, Sutherlands Transport and the cash donations which have come in from very generous people who wish to remain anonymous. The RSL in Coota has held bingo with the proceeds going to help the cause.
Gloria concluded with the fact that we need our farmers and they need our help. She said the CWA in Lightning Ridge has 40 members and they regularly have lunch together and use the time as therapy to get through these tough days.
Those attending the coffee morning had taken along goods to donate to Gloria and her ladies to be sent on to those in need.
Robyn Apps thanked Gloria for giving her time and morning tea was enjoyed by all. Gloria and her band of helpers are doing a wonderful job and donations are always needed.
