By Emma Sun
A GATTON stock agent who distributed $25,000 to flood-affected farmers of the Queensland town visited the Rotary Club of Pakenham last week to thank them for their assistance.
Bill Hallas, with the help of Pakenham stock agent Trevor Longmuir and his fellow Rotarians, was able to personally distribute $1000 cheques to 15 farmers who were affected by the February floods.
Mr Longmuir organised a special market day at which people donated cattle to sell.
The proceeds totalled $22,000 and with a donation from Pakenham Rotary, a total of $25,000 went to the flood victims in Gatton and northern Victoria.
Mr Hallas travelled more than 200 kilometres to distribute the cheques which were gratefully accepted by the farmers. He visited nine farms during his first day.
“I came home stuffed because I was standing in their houses and they were telling me their harrowing story, which I heard nine times,” he said.
“They were very overwhelmed and some fellas actually cried – big, grown men.
“It was an absolutely extraordinary thing.”
Rotary’s Charlie Huyskens, who visited Mr Hallas’ farm in Gatton, highlighted just how bad the floods were.
“When I met Bill, I couldn’t go through his front gate because there was no bridge.
“I had to go all the way to the back to get in,” he said.
Rotary’s Roly Hewson said it was a combination of a lot of work over many months that got the cheques to where they were needed, and praised Mr Hallas on his good work.
“How you picked 15 families out must’ve been a horrendous job – I commend how you did it,” he said.
Mr Hallas said the farmers used the money for repairs to their houses and fences and feed for the cattle.
He thought it was important to relay the messages of the farmers back to the people who had provided a lending hand.
“I travelled down to thank everybody for what they did.
“It was an amazing thing to have happened and I was proud to be part of it.”
