Stockinbingal and Cootamundra locals Mark Bickerdike, Paul Lukin and Greg Morton were stoked to be part of the Burrumbuttock to Bourke hay run to Louth on the weekend.
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Although not actually claiming they brought the rain to Louth they were happy to let the locals believe that they did.
Louth identity and grazier Wally Mitchell was very grateful for the donated hay and the effort put in by the truck drivers.
“It is fantastic to know that somebody cares about us. Most people don’t even know where the hell Louth is,” he said.
The trip up to Louth on Friday was run of the mill until the convoy of 24 trucks with nearly 800 bales hit the dirt. Corrugations, bull dust holes, grids and narrow bridges all had to be dealt with by the drivers while in thick dust that lingered in the air for 15 minutes and longer.
“It was worth it,” Mr Lukin said.
“They were so pleased to see us, the hospitality was great and that first cold beer was reward enough in itself. They loved us when it started to rain”.
Unloading the bales was also an experience. Not normally having to move quantities of hay the equipment used tended to be makeshift or small. Two forklifts were amongst the machinery and they were constantly dry bogging in the dust and dry dirt. Unloading and loading out again certainly demonstrated the ingenuity and ‘can do’ attitude of farmers and bush folk. The spirit and camaraderie in action was a privilege to be part of.
Ben Nott, another with local connections to Cootamundra, was in action on the weekend doing good in Louth.
Mr Bickerdike’s sentiments were echoed by many of the drivers.
“I have experienced some lows in my life and I have got through them.
“When I think about it there has always been someone, be it family or a mate that has helped me.
I feel privileged being able to help and thank Phil [Hines] for volunteering an Aglands truck for the hay run.”
Stockinbingal and Cootamundra’s involvement was perfectly expressed by the Hayrunners leader Brendan Farrell when answering the question, why do you do this?
Brendan’s simple answer was, “because I can,” perhaps the answer to why Aussie farmers can hang in there, why country folk are so resourceful and resilient, why mates help mates.
Greg Morton, a man of few words, summed up the Hay Run as, “Awesome. When’s the next run?”
Further pictures, stories and comments can be found on the ‘Burrumbuttock to Bourke Hay Run’ Facebook page.
