Today’s drought devastating NSW is no different, as the CWA ladies continue to put food on the table and raise a few dollars for our producers on the land.

And while they can’t make it rain the women certainly know how to band together and show resilience in times of need.

Their most recent efforts - $6,050 received from donations from 26 CWA branches across the Hunter River Group – will go towards drought relief for Upper Hunter farmers.

This adds to a recent donation of approximately $3,000 bringing the total amount to more than $9,000.

The Scone CWA has spent the money locally through the purchase of gift vouchers, which are being handed over to local representatives of the Department of Primary Industries for distribution across the farming community.

“The money has been raised through various fundraising efforts and we have purchased vouchers ranging in price from $100 to $150 from Coles, Woolworths and IGA,” Scone CWA president Lyn Tout said.

“So we are supporting local business in the process.”

DPI Rural Resilience Program Coordinator Caroline Hayes says while there is a lot of support out there, she encourages the community to give to local groups like the CWA who can then purchase vouchers which can be distributed by the DPI.

“We work closely with Local Land Services and rural financial coordinators to make sure this assistance is going to the right places,” she said.

“The funds will be spread across the Upper Hunter.”

DPI Rural Support Worker Karen Sowter said a lot of local charities give when times are tough but providing farmers with the ability to choose how to spend it gives them so much more dignity and support.

“Hamper items are coming from people, out of the goodness of their hearts, but these items aren’t always what the farmers want or need,” she said.

“Receiving support is extremely confronting.

“Giving them the vouchers mean they can go out and buy what they want when they need it.

“They also logistically make more sense, rather than sorting through and distributing hamper items.”

The support comes after the CWA of NSW announced earlier this month that $100,000 will be released from its Disaster Relief fund to help farm families in NSW struggling with worsening drought conditions.

This is in addition to last month’s donation of $1,000,000 by businessman and philanthropist Dick Smith to help drought-affected farm families across the nation, with the CWA of Australia working with state CWAs to distribute the funds.