New Hope Group has made a $50,000 donation to drought relief organisation Aussie Helpers to assist with much needed relief to drought-affected farmers on the Darling Downs.
New Hope Group has made a $50,000 donation to drought relief organisation Aussie Helpers to assist with much needed relief to drought-affected farmers on the Darling Downs. New Hope Managing Director Shane Stephan said the company had watched with concern as drought conditions worsened across the state and in particular in farming communities around New Hope's New Acland Mine and Acland Pastoral Company on the Darling Downs. "New Hope has been moved by the strength and resilience of farmers battling through this tough time, many of whom are employees at our New Acland Mine as well as members of our local communities," Mr Stephan said. "As a major cattle and cropping operator and large local employer in the Oakey region, we knew there were families doing it tough and wanted to do our part." "We've been operating in the region since 2002 and have seen the good work Aussie Helpers has done over the years, including working with our own Acland Pastoral Company to donate hay to drought affected communities back in 2016." "This donation will provide emergency relief to the farmers in our area who need it most, and our hope is that it will ease their burden a little." Aussie Helpers Chief Financial Officer Sam Price said the donated funds would be used to provide support in whatever form most needed. "We've had quite a number of calls coming in from farmers in the Oakey region and the broader Darling Downs who are really doing it tough at the moment," Ms Price said. "We've found farmers are in need of different things depending on their circumstances, whether it be hay, water or financial and emotional support or simply just putting food on the table." "This drought is the worst we've seen in almost 100 years and it's affecting farming communities from the southern parts of Queensland, right down into New South Wales." If you'd like to support the drought relief effort, you can visit the Aussie Helpers website at aussiehelpers.org.au or call them on 1300 665 232. Donations, volunteers and fundraising support are welcome.
