Sue and Buster Ryan again made the trek to Cunnamulla in Queensland as part of the hay run and were overwhelmed by the generosity that got them there, as well as the stories they heard on arrival. 

Wagga Trucks director Matt Shaw has supplied them with a prime mover for the last two hay runs to tow their 40-foot trailer of donated hay and it was no different in 2018. 

The Ryans take part in the run under the Yanco Lions Club banner and this year they were particularly taken aback by just how hard some farmers are doing it. 

“Seeing first hand the devastation happening on the land, from the drought, is heartbreaking, and we saw this while taking our hay to the farmers,” Mrs Ryan. 

“We have learnt that daily life for these farmers is a struggle and they really are bred tough as they continue to get through each day, while there is still no sign of rain to wet the dry arid land.

“Seeing people from the towns the convoy of 150 trucks passed through waving us on with signs and flags brought tears to our eyes, and really brought home the true meaning of Australia Day.

“Delivering onto the stations was new to us, and showed us just how tough they were doing it.

“We saw sheep and cattle with not one blade of grass to eat, nothing but dirt. Farmers are harvesting Mulga trees for stock to feed on. Spending time with the farmers and hearing their stories of survival on the land was gut wrenching, but the farmers were so grateful to receive the donations of hay.”

As well as the hay, the moral support from the hay runners was welcomed from the farmers.

“Both Buster and I are so very grateful, as our load of hay was donated, as was the trailer and once again the prime mover from Wagga Trucks, because without that our participation in the run would not have happened,” Mrs Ryan said.