Despite the horrible hardships the drought has caused to many farmers and communities over the past few years, one of the greatest things that has come out of it has been the support and generosity shown by those who have never even set foot on a farm before.
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Donations such as money and food items have been given to those doing it tough.
But students from Parramatta High School took it an extra step further, when they not only raised $9000 for the community of Gilgandra, but they recently visited the small rural town in central west, NSW.
The Justice League students school held out of uniform days, barbecues and more to raise the funds for their country cousins.
Just recently they visited the town, spending a few days getting to know the Gilgandra community and even visited a farm, which is owned by local farmer Ian McCutcheon.
READ MORE: Wool, history and tours part of life on farm
The McCutcheon’s run cattle and sheep on their property, west of Gilgandra.
Through their son, Andrew, who teaches at the local school and head maths teacher Steve Schier, the farm tour was able to be organised to give the city students a glimpse of rural life.
Only four of the 20 Parramatta students had never been west of the Blue mountains before, Mr McCutcheon said.
“The first thing that excited the Parramatta kids was my neighbours sheep dog. It was lovely,” he said.
The city kids also experienced a sheep being shorn and seeing cattle and Mr McCutcheon also spoke with them about the wool industry.
“Something I wanted to let them know was how much I appreciated what they did for Gilgandra. Just the fact they did it,” Mr McCutcheon said.
The Parramatta students are from very diverse cultural backgrounds and they really showed their community spirit and care by raising the money and coming out.
“They were really good students, they were very nice, young people,” Mr McCutcheon said.
One of the things the students were in awe about was how quiet it was and how much space there was, the central west farmer said.
By staying in the town, the Parramatta students were also able to inject money into the local economy.
“That helps the whole community, but apart form the money they spent just the fact that they actually did this, that’s a great credit to them as individuals, to their school and to their teachers,” Mr McCutcheon said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS: Rain makes a welcome return to Central West | Weather radar
The McCutcheon’s run approximately 2500 sheep and 100 head of cattle, plus farm wheat.
Thanks to recent rain morale is improving, Mr McCutcheon said.
“And for the first time in two years the Marthaguy Creek is flowing properly. So we’re getting water and we’re getting some feed,” he said.
The farming family have had to de-stock at least 10 to 20 percent, which is going to take some recovering, Mr McCutcheon said.
“But it’s going to take a while to recover financially, because our sheep numbers are down and we haven’t had a corp for two years,” he said.
“But prices are good for both (sheep and cattle) and that will greatly aid recovery...”
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
