When disasters strike, Australians are very generous with support for those impacted. The Central West have experienced a variety of natural disasters in the past 12 months and we are fortunate to have framework in place from government departments and the community to help people to address immediate and longer term needs for their families and properties.

In addition to the work that the CWLLS and other organisations have been doing in response to the Sir Ivan Fire impacting 54,870ha, the Dunedoo community have formed a committee to deal with the many offers of assistance for people affected by the Sir Ivan fire working with The Country Women’s Association of NSW and a specially formed committee.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Sir Ivan Fire Appeal go to www.sirivanfireappeal.com or contact Dunedoo Central School on 02 6375 1489. Fodder or freight are being co-ordinated by Hayden Rhodes and Sandy Cox from Delta Sullivans. They can be contacted on 6375 1209, 0428 811774 (Hayden) or 0428 865299 (Sandy). For livestock agistment enquires contact Angus Stuart on 0427 751 009 or Jamie Stuart on 0427 467 322. No clothing or furniture is required at the moment. Other requirements are toiletries (bagged and labelled); food & drinks (non perishable items only); pet food (dog biscuits, cat biscuits, chook food, horse food), tools; fencing equipment; and poly pipe and fittings. BLAZEAID fencing will be starting on February 27, with a camp based at the Showground. Call Lawrie Dawson on 0418 349 317 or go to their website.

The NSW Farmers’ Merriwa Branch has joined forces with the Merriwa Show Society to establish the Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal to assist affected landholders and residents. Money donated will go towards the purchase of cattle that will be fed at the Alexander Downs feedlot for a period of up to 80 days. Alexander Downs has kindly offered to feed the cattle at no cost. The cattle will then be sold with all the sale proceeds going towards the appeal. 

If you have been impacted by a natural disaster and require relief assistance contact your Central West Local Land Services office or telephone 1300 795 299. Lodged applications within six months of the date of the disaster.

We are fortunate to have the services of the Rural Adversity Mental Help Program (RAMHP) for individuals living in rural and remote NSW that provide a range of information services to individuals, communities and service providers to link rural and remote people to access the services that are right for them. The Mental Health line is a 24 hour service that can be contacted on 1800 011 511. 

Central West Local Land Services are planning Community Support Skills (CSS) training soon which will help members of our rural communities develop the skills to identify and appropriately assist people experiencing mental health concerns. We will have more information in the weeks ahead. Visit centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or on facebook. Until next week, happy Landcaring!