Griffith truckie Ross Duggan has been on nearly all of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runs and said the effect of the drought on northern Queensland was something that had to be seen to be believed.
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“You just wouldn't believe it, it looks like a bomb has gone off,” Mr Duggan said.
Mr Duggan was part of the 11th Burrumbuttock Hay Runners convoy, which left Darlington Point on Thursday morning.
The convoy, consisting of 160 trucks, will deliver hay to drought-affected farmers in Queensland, and will pick up another 160 trucks along the way.
Mr Duggan said his truck was filled not only with hay donated by local farmers, but also with donated Riverina produce for the families struggling in drought-stricken areas.
For him the run was not only about delivering much-needed hay to farmers, but also support so they knew they were not alone.
“Every hay run I try to get talking to some of the farmers up there, and they are going through a really hard time,” Mr Duggan said.
“They’re broke, they’re breaking down and some of them haven’t seen rain in four years.”
The human toll the drought was taking led truck drivers from across Australia to donate their time, gear and extensive funds to the cause, with the sentiment echoed around the dark parking lot as the they prepared to leave in the moments before dawn.
“I heard there had been something like 19 suicides up there, that’s what got me, they are real people who are really doing it tough,” Yackandandah man John Strom said.
Barellan man Kevin Morris also had plenty of heart invested in his second truck run.
“I couldn't believe just how dry it was up there, it really did touch me emotionally as did the absolute appreciation shown by the people there which, was astounding,” he said.
Mr Morris said he believed the run’s success could be attributed to the generous spirit of the rural people involved.
“It’s grassroots people helping grassroots people and if the situation was reversed I think they would be doing it for us,” he said.
Organiser Brendan Farrell said he was not surprised by the continuing support shown by Australians.
“This is all about heart,” he said. “The amount of money forked out by individuals just goes to show a lot of people in Australia are getting behind us and that’s because it’s the right thing to do. The whole Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and the Riverina have supported us, donating hay and fundraising. It just shows what Australians do, you help your mates.”
Despite the early hour, the road from Darlington Point to Griffith was lined with people cheering the hay runners on their journey.
