Feeding the need for relief

By Paul Dunlop
BUSINESSES are throwing their support behind a Need for Feed rally to help farmers stricken by drought and bushfires.
Casey and Cardinia Lions Clubs are organising the event at Akoonah Park in Berwick on 24 and 25 March.
Proceeds from the Need for Feed Cars, Guitars and Stars — Wheels and Music Festival will provide relief to Gippsland landholders whose properties have been devastated by drought, floods and bushfire in recent months.
Organisers are looking for people to display their vintage and veteran cars. Volunteers and tractors and items for a charity auction are also being sought.
Berwick Lions Club vicepresident Graham Cockerell has spearheaded the relief effort, first reported in the Gazette in January.
Mr Cockerell, from Upper Beaconsfield, said he had been driven to do something by the harrowing images he saw on nightly news reports when the fires were at their peak just after Christmas.
“Many businesses are starting to freely offer products ranging from dinner and haircut vouchers, evening dresses, bedandbreakfast accommodation, to farm gates and roof trusses,” he said.
Nylex Water Solutions of Pakenham recently donated a 3000litre rainwater tank valued at $2000 and threw out the challenge to other businesses to get behind the fundraiser to aid bushfire and drought victims.
“Much more is needed to support struggling farmers,” Mr Cockerell said.
“Very few have feed for their cattle, with recent floods in some areas only making things worse, and hundreds of kilometres of burnt fencing needing replacement.
“Three months on from the devastation of December, there are still houses lying on the ground and stock wandering onto roads through burnt fences while councils, governments and insurance companies tangle the victims in red tape or total apathy.
“This would not be tolerated on the outskirts of Melbourne. In the aftermath of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires, the local area had help arriving in all forms within hours if not days, but certainly not months later,” Mr Cockerell said.
At the Gippsland townships of Cowarr, Toongabbie, Seton and areas around Licola the cleanup effort is yet to begin with an army of Rotary, Lions and Apex volunteers still waiting for houses to be surveyed for asbestos, dangerous trees to be lopped and skips to be delivered that were promised 10 weeks ago.
Mr Cockerell has been vocal in recent weeks on ABC radio, passing on feedback from recipients of hay deliveries who are still waiting for outside help. This has drawn criticism and praise, with some politicians objecting to being named on air, he said.
Cardinia mayor Kate Lempriere wrote to all Victorian MPs on Mr Cockerell’s behalf in December and again in January appealing for help. Anybody wishing to help out at Need for Feed can contact Mr Cockerell on 5944 4111.