The impact of Australia’s drought has been felt by many beyond the farmers directly affected.
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It is times of hardship like this when communities pull together to help each other, and the Launceston community has shown it has a strong appetite to do just that.
Venues throughout the greater Launceston area have been donating money from parmigiana sales to Rural Aid via the Parma for a Farmer campaign, but Cataract on Paterson chose another protein for its fundraising efforts – beef.
Cataract on Paterson’s Dine to Make a Difference campaign runs until August 26.
Diners enjoy a 300 gram scotch fillet steak and a glass of lager or wine for $45, with $30 of that price donated to Cow Biz’s drought relief efforts via Cataract on Paterson’s Giving Back program.
The money raised will pay for large round bales for mainland farmers, with the total approaching 80 already.
As well as owning Cataract on Paterson, Karen and Stuart Burbury farm sheep in the Southern Midlands, near Oatlands, so they are not strangers to drought’s affects.
“We have personally lived through several extended drought periods, which are now unfortunately becoming more common throughout the Australian landscape,” Mrs Burbury said.
“I have witnessed the sickening consequences that did not end at the farmgate – entire small communities also faced the overwhelming devastation.”
The Dine to Make a Difference campaign is supported by Hound Dog Lager, Devil’s Corner, Freshline Tasmania and Cape Grim Beef.
“It wouldn’t be possible without support from these businesses. It gives us the ability to donate $30,” Mrs Burbury said.
“Farmers are really good people who care for their stock. We’re glad to be making a difference.”
Aspect Tamar Valley Resort, Grindelwald, is holding a farming fundraising event on Friday, August 31, with profits going to the Buy a Bale campaign.
Tickets are $25 and include a parmi and drink, but there will also be an auction, lucky door prizes and a mechanical bull, Marketing & Sales manager Sarah Cannell said.
“Tamar Ridge has donated the wine and Freshline donated the chicken, so most of the $25 will go straight to the charity,” she said.
“So far we have had about $3500 worth of prizes donated.”
In the first two weeks it was running the Parma for a Farmer campaign, Sporties Hotel sold almost 1200 parmies, licensee Nick Daking said.
“We also have had a number of people coming in buying a parma then ask us not to cook it as they want to donate the full amount,” he said.
“Our original target was to reach 1000 by the end of them month, [but] we are on track to exceed 2000.”
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