Co-organiser and cattle farmer Barry Pratten said the event recognised that, although there had been some minor reprieves along the way, the region was still in its most serious drought on record.

It’s being put on by the combined Rotary clubs of Tamworth, Manilla and Quirindi; and farmers and people in related businesses from across these areas are invited to attend.

“The keynote speaker will be [federal member for New England] Barnaby Joyce on all aspects of the drought, as far as what has been done, what is being done and what we can do even better – and water,” Mr Pratten said.

From state and local government levels will be Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and regional mayor Col Murray.

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Mr Pratten said representatives of NSW Farmers, Peel Valley Irrigators, Centacare and other agencies were also set to attend.

“We’re just trying to get some answers,” Mr Pratten said.

“We just want to try and let people on the land know what the government is doing and has done and, the main thing is, what can be done in the future to try and help people get through the problems we’ve had this time.”

The chairman for the forum will be Tamworth regional councillor Russell Webb.

Cr Webb said he hoped people would take the chance to hear from, and share their needs with, government leaders, as worse times ahead loomed if rain didn’t come very soon.

“I think we’re probably in a worse place now than we’ve been [and], particularly if doesn't rain in the very near future, we’ll probably be in a worse place than we’ve ever dreamed of being in,” Cr Webb said.