Harvey College of Agriculture students head to the Wheatbelt to aid bushfire stricken Quairading farmer

Students and staff from Harvey’s College of Agriculture have proved that not all heroes wear capes, travelling more than 200km north to help a bushfire-stricken farmer remove a destroyed fence line. A group of 10 students and two staff members made the journey to the recovering wheatbelt property in order to roll up the burnt wire fence to make the installation of a new fence line by BlazeAid easier. Nestled in the central Wheatbelt, Quairading farmer Murray Williams’ property was severely impacted by a 40,000ha blaze earlier in the year, causing residents and livestock to evacuate. College of Agriculture Harvey principal Stephen Watt said Mr Williams was a major supporter of agricultural education over the years and it was a pleasure the school was able to help him in his time of need. “It is really important for young people to be involved in community events and discover the satisfaction gained in helping others,” he said. “It’s an attitude that is alive and well in country areas and I was really pleased and proud that our students so readily volunteered to help.” Year 12 student Josh Miller said he liked providing practical help to someone in need. “I have never been to that part of the Wheatbelt so it was a new experience and an eye-opener to see how much farm land was affected by the fire,” he said Fundraisers have begun across the State to assist those left with minimal livestock and scorched pasture, which has left farmers footing the huge costs of replacement feed. From now until the end of March donations made to South West Catchments Council will be diverted to farmers to replace and restore fencing and revegetation originally funded through a SWCC grant.