Community
30 July, 2025
Green for farmers
SCHOOLS and businesses across the district wore green to support farmers and Need for Feed last Friday.
The initiative was put together by Need for Feed to raise money for farmers still doing it tough during one of the worst droughts in the south west area in recent history.
Recent rainfall has been a welcome reprieve but hasn’t made up for the past 18 months of dry conditions which have had a devastating impact on the farming community.
Cobden Pharmacy were one of the businesses to take part with staff dressing up in green to show their support for the cause.
Retail manager Fiona Gee said the business had contacted Need for Feed to get involved.
“As a local community we need to support our farmers,” she said.
“If our farmers are struggling then small businesses struggle and they need our support.
“Joining in on the day was just our way of saying we’re here and we support you.”
Mrs Gee said the drought conditions for farmers were ongoing despite how pastures appeared from recent rainfall.
“The grass looks green but it’s not growing,” she said.
“People pass through and think it looks fantastic but we are in a drought.
“People don’t realise it and this starts the conversation.”
Cobdenhealth also participated in the day.
Cobdenhealth support services manager Rebecca Dridan said the team were quick to jump onboard.
“We’ve seen the trucks that have been delivering hay to lots of farmers and I fully appreciate what that’s like being a farmer myself,” she said.
“We’re in the middle of a pretty tough drought for this area.
“Staff had actually planned to do a pyjama day today but when they saw that Need for Feed were promoting for farmers we thought, what a great opportunity.
“We’ve got a nice little jar of money at the front desk to donate towards a good cause for supporting our locals.”
Mrs Dridan said the community at Cobdenhealth were heavily involved in farming and they chose to get involved to raise money to show their commitment to backing community causes.
“We have a lot of residents here as part of our residential aged care but also out in the community and people using our service,” she said.
“It’s reflecting back to the community that we care as much about them as they do about our facilities.
“It’s a great opportunity for us all to partner together and support each other.
“It’s about being a part of our community.”
Mrs Dridan also acknowledged another staff member at Cobdenhealth who helped bring the day together.
“It was actually Sue Loving as our lifestyle and leisure person who was the driving force behind getting this happening,” she said.
“She really kicked it off in getting the residents, staff and everybody involved.”
Besides businesses, Timboon P-12 were one of the schools to back the cause, hosting a bake sale to raise money for Need for Feed alongside bringing in a gold coin donation to wear green in support of the district’s farmers.
The baked goods were provided by the Year 11 hospitality class and enjoyed across all year levels for a worthy cause.
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