After January’s incredible feat of generosity by the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners, not many in western Queensland expected to either see it repeated or have the need for it, but they do and it is.
In January the world was bowled over when 124 trucks hauled $1.9m worth of hay, 500 square and round bales, from southern New South Wales all the way to Ilfracombe in Queensland’s central west.
At the time, Hay Runners founder Brendan Farrell vowed to repeat the feat if it was needed, and will this week lead a convoy that is expected to stretch for 160km as 250 trucks bring up to 14,000 square and round bales of hay, estimated at $6m in value, to producers who are reeling from a drought that hasn’t let up.
Truck drivers are crossing Bass Strait this week to join the convoy from Tasmania, and donations for fuel are over the $450,000 mark.
“From kids that are six giving me their pocket money to pensioners giving me their pension card, to major sponsors such as IGA, that’s how much people care,” Brendan said.
“Donations are flowing in ten-fold, it’s really gained momentum. This is a goodwill story.
"Some farmers have donated huge amounts of hay, six to seven semi loads. They just say, come and get it.
“We’ve got to keep those family farms going. If the farmers go, they won’t come back.”
The convoy will leave Darlington Point at 6am Thursday, to overnight at Wyandra in Queensland’s south west.
At Augathella on Friday morning it will be joined by 100 trucks from Brisbane, Rockhampton, Texas, Tweed Heads and Roma, before the final leg to Ilfracombe.
The convoy is bringing 25 loaders for fast unloading and reloading onto trucks of people allocated hay, and on Saturday, mini-convoys will be taking loads to Winton, Muttaburra and Blackall.
BP Australia on Wednesday announced a donation of $50,000 to the cause, joining 8-10 B-doubles of bark donated by Bassett Barks from the Sunshine Coast, for communities and homeowners to collect to rejuvenate tired gardens.
On top of that will be pallets of dog food, gift packs, free health checks, massages and haircuts, all at the Ilfracombe racecourse.
The group will also have a merchandise truck this trip, with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Sydney to help fund fuel for future trips.
With nearly 114,000 Facebook followers, drought relief will once again be front and centre of Australia’s consciousness.
Fast Facts
- 250 prime movers
- 391 trailers
- Convoy stretching 160km
- 14,000 bales of hay
- Value $6 million
- 400 graziers helped
- Over $450,000 raised for fuel
- 224,916 animals helped
- 114,000 Facebook followers
Coming along for the ride
Burrumbuttock Hay Runners organiser Brendan Farrell is welcoming followers and grey nomads wishing to see the spectacle of the convoy, but is pleading with them to ensure they are self-sufficient.
“We’ve planned this convoy down to the last bacon rasher and will only have enough to feed our drivers and support crews, and the people we are doing this for.
“There won’t be any free handouts – we haven’t got those sort of resources,” he said. “This is about hay for farmers.”
Brendan said there were plenty of towns doing it tough in drought-stricken parts and urged people to “jump in the caravan and watch this thing go through” and support the businesses in small towns along the route.
