Drought donations in desperate times as Baradine CWA pleads for help

In the past 12 months, vice-president Nea Worrell said, the drought-aid arm of the branch had helped about 140 families, or 400 people.

This has included free groceries, donated to and offered out of the CWA hall; and $80,000 worth of local shopping vouchers, paid for by cash donations.

"I've had everything from $10,000 [donated by a city horse stud] to one packet of Tim Tams," Mrs Worrell said.

"One lady came in with a packet and said, 'This is all I can give, but I hope someone enjoys it with a cup of tea and invites their neighbour over'."

Barwon MP Roy Butler recently praised the branch in a speech in parliament, calling for people to support the CWA after it had "thrown every last penny ... at this vital service".

"They're promising not to give up on the community and continue their crucial work," Mr Butler said.

"That is the true spirit of the volunteer: to continue to give, even when their back's against the wall."

Because the donations have run out and "we are broke", the branch says.

"People are desperate; I've heard some dreadful stories," Mrs Worrell said.

A farmer herself, she said the local conditions were "dire; extreme".

"We did get some rain back in March, April, and we did get some oats come up, but it's just sitting there and nothing's happening," she said.

"We're now selling breeding stock ... and most farmers are the same."

Mrs Worrell said coastal residents had been the biggest donors to the branch, but maybe awareness was waning about the prolonged big dry.

"It's just getting it in front of people again [that] we're still here and we're still in drought."

Northern Daily Leader