THE community of Cobargo has had its toughest summer on record, but this was made a little easier thanks to participants on a recent Need for Feed hay run.
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Leeton's shire's Buster and Sue Ryan were among those taking part in the run, which is an initiative of the Pakenham Lions Club. The run took place towards the end of January.
Cobargo was devastated by a large bushfire, which tore through the small community on New Year's Eve.
Homes, buildings, livestock and even its main street were not spared from the flames.
Tragically, lives were also lost in the blaze.
With all of this in mind, there was no doubting where the Need for Feed hay run was headed to next, after already completing an earlier run in 2020.
The Ryans were among many trucks and volunteers who participated in the run.
"Once again director at Wagga Trucks, Matt Shaw came on board and supported our journey by donating the use of a Volvo prime mover," Mrs Ryan said.
"Our load of hay was donated by a local farming family, as well as the semi-trailer.
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"Along the way community groups and organisations cooked and fed us all for breakfast, lunch and tea. Their community spirit was second to none. Through towns and along the way people met us with waves and called out words of encouragement and clapped to continue us all on (the drive)."
The run to Cobargo was one of several organised by Need for Feed, with others headed to the fire-affected areas of Corryong and East Gippsland. Thirteen trucks from Australia Post also took part.
"Buster and I delivered our load of hay to dairy farmers in Cobargo shire," she said. "This farming family had lost two family members in the fires, with another family member passing away a week after, so they had to bury three generations of family.
"Ros and Steve were so happy and relieved to see us roll onto their farm and met us with enormous hugs. They referred to our deliveries as trucks of hope.
"The heartbreaking stories we heard from people directly affected by the fires really struck a chord and it's left us thinking what else can we do, we really need to do more. Our time on the dairy was very emotional and we listened to stories of unbelievable courage and resilience. What we saw was the Aussie spirit of everyone just coming together to help."
Need for Feed is already planning another run to fire-affected communities, as well as those struggling with the ongoing drought.
Mrs Ryan said the runs were one way to give back and help.
The feeling that we are able to offer some help in the form of hay, is a humbling one and we get a good feeling of being able to help," she said.
"Even though we think we are not doing much, the farmers are so grateful.
"We feel we make a connection with the people that we meet and, doing these hay runs, you do meet some fantastic people, which become good friends."
Residents wanting to assist in further runs can make donations of trucks, money, feed and fodder.
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It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.