Linda O’Hare
October 30, 2018
So far this year Murgon’s Graham House has quietly helped 91 South Burnett farming families put food on the table, pay bills, fix broken pumps …
On some occasions, farmers turned up at the neighbourhood centre with a handful of bills they just couldn’t pay and had nowhere else to turn to.
But Graham House manager Linda O’Hare told southburnett.com.au she had also found herself at times sitting in a lounge room with a family that had been referred to her by other farmers, offering help to people unwilling to ask for assistance themselves.
Graham House has helped families from across the South Burnett … from Kumbia to Murgon and beyond.
“We work behind the scenes,” Linda said.
“We have some grant support but there is no actual funding which is not drought-related. Drought support is very specific.
“There is no funding for storm recovery, for example, or for the pig farmers.”
She said pig farmers had been very badly affected when grain prices went up $100/tonne overnight and kept on rising.
“Many were in dire straits,” she said.
More recently, Graham House has faced the consequences of the October storms.
“These terrible storms wiped out crops, killed or injured stock. It’s been one thing after the other,” she said.
“It makes you want to weep.”
Linda said many of the families also had school-age children, so the strain on families was having an impact on children as well.
Recently, Graham House received a helping hand when a group arrived from Brisbane unexpectedly with $850 worth of IGA vouchers “just to support the farmers”.
“Every little bit helps so much,” she said.
* * *
Graham House will be the beneficiary of the “Locals Supporting Locals” fundraising comedy night being organised by South Burnett resident Simon Neal on Saturday night (November 3).
Although it’s a dubbed a “drought relief” night, Simon is eager to point out that it’s to help South Burnett farmers, and it was about more than just drought.
Simon is also keen for people to realise that just because there’s been rain, it doesn’t mean the drought – and its effects – are over.
He’s hoping to raise enough cash on the night to provide Graham House with several thousands of dollars of emergency relief which can be distributed to local farming families.
The 18+ event (the comedy acts will contain some adult content) will be held at the Kingaroy Red Ants grounds in Youngman Street (T.J. O’Neill Oval).
The entertainment will feature five emerging Brisbane-based comedians plus music by local band RiSA.
Cost is $40 per person, which includes a steak burger.
There will also be a cash bar run by the Red Ants as well as multi-draw raffles.
Tickets are available at Raine & Horne, Kingaroy; Somethings Country, Kingaroy; and Graham House, Murgon; or call Simon on 0408-459-524.
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