The Bush Church Aid Society of Australia has set a drought relief program
in place to respond to the current drought difficulties affecting 1000’s of
rural families in Queensland and Northern NSW.
The program initially involves the mounting of a donation/fund raising
campaign that will facilitate the purchasing of fodder for distribution to the
drought areas where the Society already has personnel and the appropriate
infrastructures to make distribution of the fodder to affected farm families
The Society applauds the initiatives by the State Government which has
encouraged and assisted the development of this Drought Aid Fodder drive. The
NSW Government will reimburse the freight cost of the donated fodder.
The Society understands that the effect of drought is much more prolonged
and debilitating than other tragedies. Drought is more than the absence of
rain but the unremitting using up of resources both material and human.
The Society (since its first work in WA in 1836) has had a commitment to
assist those who live in rural and remote Australia and currently has over 30
centres in rural and remote areas where it supports personnel who are engaged
in the relief of personal suffering and distress
Two of the Society’s areas of ministry, the area west of the Darling River
and the region around Lightning Ridge, Goodooga and Walgett are in some of the
most severely affected areas. It is to these areas that the first of the BCA
Drought Aid will be first directed.
The critical points of interest are two fold;- the farm/ business focus
and its roll on effect in local rural communities and secondly the support of
farm families with material , practical , emotional and spiritual support.
In addition to the fodder distribution the Society is marshalling a number
of its supporters who regularly assist families, communities and churches
across rural and remote Australia through the Society’s Nomad program. They
will go to the north west part of NSW to offer practical assistance to
families who are rapidly approaching a state of exhaustion by assisting in
driving, checking stock, stock feeding and general farm duties as well as
being a listening ear.
The Bush Church Aid Society is a voluntary society of some 28,000 people
working within the Anglican Church of Australia.
The Society in earlier droughts during the 80’s and 90’s was at the
forefront in the support and sending of rural counsellors and distribution of
stock fodder and farm family support
The Society records it gratefulness to Trish Greenham, OAM, of the
"Horseman’s Trading Post" (a western store), Brisbane for her relentless drive
and determination to oversee so many of the practical details of the fund
raising and fodder sourcing.
Donations to the BCA Drought Aid can be made by telephoning – 02 9262.5017
or by visiting our website at