BRIAN Egan is a busy man. The day he and five of his relentless volunteers rolled into Winton on Wednesday, June 10, marked the 13th year of their tireless campaign within the Aussie Helpers organisation.
But you won't find this lot wasting precious time patting themselves on the backs for their long-running efforts.
As far as Brian is concerned, the only folks who need celebrating are those Aussie graziers spread across the largest drought-declared area in Queensland's history, as they continue an arduous battle to save their livestock, livelihood and industry.
"It's all about you guys," Brian says emphatically.
"It has to be. You are just too important to this country, and everything that comes to us goes back to you in full - without discrimination."
Winton last received a visit from the Aussie Helpers six months ago, and with still no rain, they haven't been forgotten as they were treated to a barbecue and giveaway day at the local footy field.
Volunteers Max and Margie Lubcke returned as familiar faces, along with helpers Don and Carol Northam, and Colin Hardy, as they handed out fuel vouchers, care packages, local business vouchers, and hay and livestock supplements for those living and working on drought-declared land.
Jenny Bulmer, Kywong Station, collected hay, fuel vouchers and a care package on behalf of her family.
"I think it's pretty awesome to know that people like us are not being forgotten out here," says Jenny, who, like many in the Winton district, also received a personal visit to her station doorstep from the organisation.
"When that Aussie Helpers car rolled up with a box of stuff and asked how things were going for us, I just ended up bursting into tears."
Having started out in 2002 with just $20 to its name, Aussie Helpers has now amassed $5 million in donated assets and it just keeps on coming for this mob.
"I got a phone call a few days ago from a bloke offering to donate $100,000 if we could make it up to his old shire of Etheridge near Georgetown, just to help out his local farmers," Brian says.
Brian responded to the generous caller that they had previously done a visit there, but if he was determined to help out by donating the money and ensuring Aussie Helpers returned it to the Etheridge Shire, then they would do just that.
"Two days ago we saw that particular sum of money sitting in the account and, well, that's that - that'll be our next plan of attack."
In a moment of reflection and pause, one might catch a glimpse of weariness and age in Brian Egan, co-founder of Aussie Helpers, and wonder how long his passion to protect the Australian grazing industry from breaking under the enormous physical, financial and emotional demands of this drought will continue with such resolution and gusto.
"I know what it's like to be struggling," he says.
"I can understand the battle.
"I had post-traumatic shock depression due to my involvement in a couple of wars back in the early days and, later, I lost my property.
"So I know. It got that bad I nearly had took myself out of the game several times."
The miracle cure was something that money and no psychologist could provide.
Brian was told to try to get out and find someone worse off than him to make him feel better about his lot in life.
"I started Aussie Helpers then, and these years have been the happiest, most amazing years of my life.
"Giving is receiving - I truly believe that."
And to answer the question of how much fuel is in the tank for the Aussie Helpers honcho?
With one elbow on the table, Brian is firm: "I'll keep doing this until I drop dead.
"I'll never give up and I'll never stop."
