It might buy a desperate farmer only a few days’ grace, but a group of mates have come to the aid of a man preparing to shoot his starving sheep because he could no longer feed them.
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When Manilla man Adam Memorey heard of the plight of Goolhi’s Les and Laura Jones, he swung into action immediately.
Within about 24 hours, his team was there, feeding out hay, filling tanks with water, cutting firewood and delivering livestock milk replacer and grocery hampers.
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Mr Memorey made headlines recently for spearheading a local campaign, called “Giving back to a couple of local farmers”, to raise money and buy hay for drought-affected farmers.
He has since organised two trips into Queensland to buy that hay so was ready at a moment’s notice when he heard about the Joneses.
“We knew they were not that far away and we could make it happen,” Mr Memorey said.
“We found out [on Sunday] morning about 10am, searched for the property and number in the White Pages and got into contact.”
Mr Memorey said it had been a “very emotional” phone call with Mrs Jones.
“What could I say but, ‘We can come and help; ease the pain a bit for couple days at least’,” he said.
“It was hard to understand through the emotion, to be honest, but from what I could make out, she was very thankful.”
More to come
The men’s efforts will be followed in days to come by another delivery of stock feed from Aussie Helpers then, down the track, a Farm Rescue working bee.
Mrs Jones said it was “making a big difference”.
“The generosity of total strangers is truly quite amazing … I’m lost for words.”
She said the phone hadn’t stopped ringing with calls “from people all across the country wanting to donate and lend their support”.
As for the sheep, she said she hoped it wouldn’t come to that after all, “but it is a question of time”.
“They might fall over tomorrow, for all I know, and we will have to shoot them – but I certainly hope not.”
- To donate to the campaign: account name Giving Back; BSB 932 000; account number 759 670.
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
