The massive undertaking is being managed by Brendan 'Bumpa' Farrell, who has been running BHR since 2014 when he volunteered to deliver a single truckload of hay to a farmer in Bourke. The upcoming Ilfracombe delivery will mark the twelfth successful hay run in the seven years since.

The most recent run was in 2016, with over 500 volunteers delivering 258 trucks worth of hay to Ilfracombe. The total amount of hay was worth over 6 million dollars and fed 300,000 animals.

Mr Farrell said that COVID had proven difficult, particularly with border closures.

"COVID's been a real pain in the ass cause we have trucks coming from everywhere and then the borders keep getting closed because the Premier's are on a fucking power trip. At the end of the day, there are still farmers who are stuck in the outback who need hay and need help."

READ MORE

"People need to realise this drought hasn't gone away at all, and we have to keep the dream alive."

This year's run is promising to be quite the production, thanking drivers and support staff with an elaborate concert and free entry to the Ilfracombe Country Race Day.

"We always put on a concert wherever we go, just have a bit of a drink with locals and then the next day, we come all the way home," Mr Farrell said.

Brendan Farrell has already travelled over 2500kms preparing depots for the hay deliveries in Muttaburra, Winton and Boulia.

The upcoming trip will leave from Darlington Point on the 7^th of July and will wrap up with the Country Race Day celebration on the 10^th.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: