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AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR LEE KERNAGHAN TO VISIT DROUGHT-STRICKEN WOODSDALE, TASMANIA

02-04-08

Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan will visit the drought-stricken farming area near Woodsdale, Tasmania on Sunday 6 April 2008.

Lee is joining with rural community assistance organisation ‘Aussie Helpers’ to meet people from the farming area in and around Woodsdale, situated one hour north of Hobart. The event will be held at Woodsdale Football Ground from 11:30am this Sunday.

The farming area around Woodsdale is among the most drought affected areas in Tasmania. In recent times farmers have been forced to sell off stock at very low prices and in some cases simply give their stock away due to mounting debt and the lack of feed.

Kernaghan and his good mate Brian Egan, who founded Aussie Helpers after being forced off his own Queensland property in the 1990’s and was named Queensland Senior Australian of the Year 2008, aim to bring attention to the plight of rural communities devastated by drought.

Lee said “I hope to meet as many people as possible especially those who are experiencing difficult times on the land. I want to listen to what they have to say because right now we need to look for solutions as to how we can kick start the bush after many years of drought. We also need to ensure that hard working farming families are not falling through the cracks.”

“I think Woodsdale symbolizes a number of communities around Australia that are battling on and giving their all to make it through the drought. Most people recognize how important Australian Agriculture is to the nation as a whole.
By supporting our farmers we are supporting Australian jobs, supporting our economy and helping to maintain the wellbeing of our rural and regional towns.”

“Over the coming months I plan to visit a number of regions that continue to suffer the effects of the drought. I‘ll be heading out there to pledge my personal support and salute them for the great Australian Spirit they show on a day to day basis. I hope in some way I can let those families know they are not forgotten.”

Kernaghan added “I think it will be a fairly informal gathering, we’ll fire up the BBQ’s, I’ll bring along my guitar but most importantly it will be an opportunity for people on the land to talk to each other about the challenges they are facing right now.”

The Tasmanian farming community is invited to meet Lee, Brian Egan, Premier Paul Lennon, Minister for Primary Industries David Llewellyn and members of associated agricultural organisations at Woodsdale Football Ground from 11:30am until 4pm on Sunday 6 April 2008.

Information will be made available to farming families, there will be a sausage sizzle and a jumping castle for the kids thanks to the generous donations from a number of Tasmanian companies.

For information on Aussie Helpers visit www.aussiehelpers.org.au.

 

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