Organisers of the Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal have set their sights on raising $1 million to assist landholders affected by the devastating natural disaster.
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The Sir Ivan bushfire burnt out 55,000 hectares as it pummeled all before if over the weekend of February 11-12.
Upper Hunter district of Cassilis and Central West areas of Dunedoo, Coolah and Leadville were hit with 30 homes destroyed and many farms’ infrastructure was simply wiped out.
Estimates of stock losses are 4,700 sheep and 500 cattle and tragically for landholders many of their dogs were also lost in the inferno.
The severity of the bushfire saw members of the Merriwa community quickly gather to establish the Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal, which in the words of Robert Gill, Alexander Downs, Merriwa will give those affected hope.
“We want them to know we all care and will work hard to provide assistance wherever possible,” he said.
The Appeal will see donated cattle or monies used to buy cattle that will be fed in the Alexander Downs feedlot for 80 days before they are processed and sold.
All monies raised will go towards the Appeal.
Some fabulous news was received by the organsiers this week when a wonderful offer was made to donate the grain to be used in the feedlot to finish the Appeal cattle.
“Before we received this offer we were aiming to feed 300 head and raise about $500,000 but now we have our sights set on 600 head and raising $1m,” Mr Gill said.
Since the Appeal started they have been able to get 100 head on feed.
“We are up and running and the support we are receiving is simply fantastic but we do now want to reach that 600 head target,” he said.
With no paddock feed for surviving stock a group from Cootamundra – Helping Hand for a Mate on the Land organised a convoy of trucks from Southern and Central West NSW carrying donated hay which was delivered last weekend.
Bank details for Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal:
Account Name: NSW Farmers’ Association Natural Disaster Relief Fund
BSB: 082-057
Account number: 18-215-7040
For those that want to donate cattle: Pat Ryan: 65485090 mob: 0428485090
Robert Gill: 0418635237 or Alexander Downs 6548 5170
Tony Inder: 65485100 mob: .0427485100