Aligned with our Faith in Action guidelines, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong is heavily promoting and encouraging individual and school community support to be provided to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s - NSW major drought appeal in a coordinated approach, providing transparency about how our funding is being spent. Further, we are staying in close contact with Vinnies to determine and monitor local need for assistance required by families in our area.

With 100 per cent of New South Wales affected by drought, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has launched its appeal to raise funds for rural communities in need.

“We’re witnessing first-hand the devastation this continual dry is having,” said Vinnies’ Executive Officer for NSW’s central west and far western region, Kelly Morgan. “People are doing it tough. Many are investing all they’ve got in feed and other supplies to keep their farms going. As a result, they’re often struggling to keep up with regular bills, including groceries and even household water."

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, NSW’s 2018 winter rainfall was well below average, meaning farmers who have already suffered years of drought have had no respite. Over the last 15 months, several areas have had the lowest rainfall on record. 

Ms. Morgan continued, “Vinnies members are part of these struggling rural communities and know what farmers are facing. My husband and I, for example, have been hand-feeding our own livestock, and without rain in the next few weeks we will need to cart feed in. There are so many farmers doing it far far worse than us, and it’s been incredible to see communities pulling together during this emergency to help where they can.”

One such story is that of Vinnies member, Michael Lynch, who has visited 30 remote farms over the past week to offer assistance through Vinnies. “People like Michael are doing great work,” remarked Ms. Morgan. “Farmers affected by the drought know they are not alone.”

The drought appeal will help across NSW in three ways:

• Provide immediate relief through food assistance and other household bill payments;
• Fund the delivery of water and animal feed by partner organisations; and
• Organise social events for rural communities to come together and find support.

Vinnies NSW Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said, “The State government has acted swiftly by injecting $1 billion towards drought relief for farmers, with $500 million of that announced just this week.

“These communities will need support in the coming months and years as the impacts of the drought are felt,” he added, “Vinnies members and volunteers will provide assistance by doing what they always do – quietly supporting their neighbours through the harshest of times. Your donations will help them keep doing that in the long term.”

Your donation will rebuild lives

Donations can be made here or at any Vinnies shop. 

For CEDoW queries, please contact:

Josephine Cooks: josephine.cooks@dow.catholic.edu.au
Community Development Officer - Catholic Life, Education and Mission Team