MEDIA RELEASE: VFF
DATE: Wednesday 26 February, 2014
VFF overwhelmed by fodder support
THE Victorian Farmers Federation has been overwhelmed by the support for fire affected farmers across the state.
“I’d like to publicly thank the hundreds of farmers, organisations and community groups who’ve banded together to donate semi loads of fodder to fire affected farmers, “VFF President Peter Tuohey said.
“People have offered to donate more than 1,600 tonnes of fodder, far exceeding our expectations.
“At this stage the VFF and Lions Club volunteers have co-ordinated the delivery of 700 tonnes to about 89 properties, with further distribution from some of these sites. Depots have been operating at Lindenow and Lancefield.
“The VFF will contact those generous farmers whose fodder we don’t need within the next week,” Mr Tuohey said.
Fodder has so far been donated to fire-affected farmers in the Morwell, Yarram, Buchan, Bonang, Kilmore-Wallan and Wunghnu regions.
“A special thanks needs to go to the Lions Clubs who’ve volunteered their time tirelessly every day, including weekends to ensure that farmers receive the assistance they need for livestock.
“I’d also like to thank the VFF staff, in particular our Livestock Project Officer Jacinta Pretty who’s put in more than 170 hours, working night and day, including weekends to ensure every request and call is answered.
“As donations continue to come in, we want to remind people that stock feed is strictly for emergency relief. Fire-affected farmers will need to find alternative supplies of fodder or agistment for their stock beyond March 11, when the fodder program ends,” Mr Tuohey said.
In the meantime farmers are encouraged to alert the VFF well before March 11 if they need urgent fodder assistance.
The fodder program will start winding down in the lead up to March 11, with Lindenow and Lancefield Lions Club cutting back their hours of operation to three days per week from tomorrow (Thursday). Both depots will now be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 10am-3pm at Lancefield and 8am – 6pm at Lindenow.
Lancefield
Location: 20 Oakleys Lane, Lancefield
Operated by Lancefield Lions Club
Lindenow
Location: 67 Wallers Lane, Walpa (just west of Lindenow on the corner of Bairnsdale-Dargo Rd and Waller’s Lane.
Operated by: Lindenow Lions Club
For more information please contact the VFF at 1300 882 833
Media Contacts:
Peter Tuohey, VFF President 0428 952 425
Tom Whitty, VFF Media Manager 0417 165 784