The community in the Banana Shire are rallying together to support flood affected farmers in the Gympie and Wide Bay Burnett regions in the wake of the devastating flood event that occured in March 2022. Community members are being asked to donate money to purchase Hay produced in the Banana Shire that will help feed their animals whilst farmers repair their homes and land.  

Hundreds of livestock including horses, pigs, sheep and goats have been swept away or injured leaving many farming communities struggling to keep afloat. To help ease the stress, Banana Shire will donate bales of hay which will be transported to Gympie for distribution.

The first truckload of hay was transported on Saturday 12th March from Biloela to Gympie. Once delivered to the Gympie Show Showgrounds, the Gympie Show Society will distribute as required.  The fundraisers have sourced hay at discounted prices and have reached out to Truck Owners and Companies to help with the cost of fuel for transport.

Banana Shire community members Pauline Williams and Russell Campbell have joined forces to run the campaign and are co-ordinating the collection and transportation of the hay from the Banana Shire directly to those farmers in need. “The floods have been devastating for everyone, and these farmers are at breaking point, mentally and financially.  We can help them in their recovery by sending bales of hay which will help ease the burden while they get their lives back on track.” said Pauline Williams.

Banana Shire Council is a major supporter of this fundraising campaign and is encouraging community members to get behind it.  “We are no strangers to floods here in the Banana Shire, and that is where the community spirit really comes out in force.  This is a great initiative and we are happy to get behind it and encourage our community to do the same.” said Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier.

To donate head to the Go Fund Me Page https://gofund.me/76b82c5c or head to the Banana Shire Council website for more information.