Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper, National Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to commend the efforts of Josh and Shelly Ball at L-Bo Butchery in Kempsey for their huge effort on behalf of drought-affected farmers. The Macleay Hay Run, with wide support from the Macleay Valley community, has raised around $100,000 to support drought-affected farmers—some $70,000 in cash and around $30,000 in hay and transport costs. It is a great display of Aussie mateship. In addition, Kempsey Stock & Land have become a donation point for locals to donate toiletries for the Doing it for our Farmers charity drive, and a big thank you to Samantha Hughes for that. Kempsey Showgirls Emma Mitchell, Issy Sutherland and Elizabeth Jackson organised a drought fundraiser at the Kempsey Stock & Land annual bull sale. Tim Smith from West Kempsey Hotel organised a trivia night, so thank you to Tim and his staff at West Kempsey Hotel for that. This is a great community effort. People are doing what they can to help our farmers. But it's more than just the money. I know the farmers of the upper Hunter appreciate the support and the hay being delivered to them, but to know that people in the community over the mountains are thinking about them at their time of need is of great benefit to them indeed. Well done, Kempsey and Macleay, for a huge effort.