It was a perfect evening for drought-affected farmers to forget ongoing dry when they celebrated Rabobank Dubbo's 25-year anniversary on Thursday.
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Nearly 300 farmers from across the region attended the event on February 20, which was held at the RFDS Visitor Experience Centre.
Rabobank Australia CEO Peter Knoblanche, National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson and former Dubbo local and now motivational speaker Andrew May were special guests on the night.
The NFF president said it was a great when Rabobank came to her with the idea of hosting the celebratory evening to help producers get off their farm.
She said even though the rain will have lifted some farmer's confidence many would be feeling like "poor cousins."
"Or the rain may have missed because it is a bit patchy. The fact that some people have had rain and the season feels different.... there's this change in the air that's tangible, they can see it and it makes everybody's spirits life," Ms Simson said.
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She said when you're in drought one of the hardest things was not knowing when it will end.
"You're in this never-ending spiral. It's been a long drought this one and a very tough drought, I think it's one of the worst droughts that has been experienced in many areas, so it's very tough for people who are on the farms and feeding animals," Ms Simson explained.
"They're trying to look after their families... and more importantly they're worrying about what's going to happen in the future and it's a really difficult problem and issues because people don't want to leave their farm, because they feel they need to be there, but by the same token getting off the farm... is really good for people's well-being."
In her address, Ms Simson spoke about some issues the NFF hope to address this year.
She said the peak body that represents Australian farmers have put forward a 10 year vision, which is a $100 billion industry by 2030.
To achieve that there are a number of things that needs to happen by the industry, communities and government, which includes risk management tools, natural capital and social licence.