A convoy of more than 100 trucks hauled bales of hay to drought-affected farmers in Queensland.
Burrumbuttock Hay Runners founder Brendan Farrell has dismissed the praise heaped on him after the 125-truck convoy he organised delivered more than 5,000 bales of hay to drought-stricken farmers in Queensland.
Requiring trucks, drivers, catering, donations, hay, and months of planning, the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners convoy travelled 1860km from New South Wales to provide about 270 cattle farmers with the much-needed feed.
Speaking in a video posted to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners Facebook page, Farrell says it was a “fantastic, successful hay run” taking “a couple of big days”, but downplayed any personal credit.
“Social media is putting a lot of pressure on me, saying I’m famous and all this other type of thing – but people need to realise I’m just a bloke with a truck,” he says.
“You don’t have to be famous to help people.
“You don’t need to have a million dollars to help people.
“You put your hand up and you just get on and do it.”
Some calls have come for the Riverina local to be crowned Australian of the Year, an honour Farrell has also dismissed.
“All the stuff about Australian of the Year…nah, I don’t have time for that,” he says.
A number of thankful farmers took to the Facebook page to show their gratitude for all the drivers, contributors and Farrell.
“My family were one of the grateful recipients of the hay and it was not just the hay, it was the fact that that amazing group cared enough to make the long trek up here,” Jo Thomas says.
“Everyone had a smile, there were tears and cheers and everyone went home feeling a whole lot lighter and more positive.”
Truck drivers also took to the page, including Trevor Vale who left a heartfelt video message.
“I want to congratulate those truckies out there that took part in the Burrumbuttock hay run…you’ve done everything you could to help those farmers,” Vale says.
“A lot of people in the city sit back and don’t take much notice of what’s going on out there, but those truck drivers know exactly what’s going on out there.”
Pitching in to help with the run was Freightliner Racing transporter driver Paul ‘Stax’ Eddy, who swapped his regular load of two V8 Supercars and race equipment for 32 bales of donated hay.
“The farmers are really doing it tough up there,” Eddy says.
“They have had no rain for so long that they could really do with a little help.”
The run was the biggest in the convoy’s two-year history and marks the 10th Farrell has organised since February 2014, when 20 trucks travelled from Burrumbuttock to Bourke.
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Courtesy: Burrumbuttock Hay Runners Facebook page.
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Farrell originally planned to cart the hay to Aramac but changed the destination to Ilfracombe due to concerns the roads would not handle the large number of trucks, especially if it rained. Aramac is about 100km north-east of Ilfracombe.
More than 20,500 bales of hay have been donated in the last two years by the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners.
While he was unwilling to accept any praise in the wake of the latest convoy, the thankfulness of the farmers has not gone unacknowledged.
“You go to a small country town and you’ve got 100 and 200 people on the side of the road waving, saying thank you,” Farrell explained last year.
“I get very satisfied when I know that I’ve helped the community, just to let them know that someone gives a damn.
“Australia has lost its way on how to give.
“I’m just trying to put the message out there that there are still people that want to help.”
Details on future runs and how to donate are available on the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners Facebook page.