“We have called on politicians and leaders to respond quickly and generously to help those families suffering in this drought,” said CWA of NSW President, Tanya Cameron.

“The current conditions are devastating and escalating dramatically, and we are pleased to see that this has now been acknowledged and addressed with the Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson today announcing an expansion of a temporary financial package of emergency in-drought measures”.

“Just last week, the CWA of NSW joined with the CWA of QLD to write to the Prime Minister asking him and the Treasurer to visit drought affected areas to gain a better understanding of the situation. We are pleased to see that the NSW government has now stepped up their relief package.

“In the meantime, I hope our financial contribution will assist to take some immediate financial pressure off some families.”

The CWA of NSW donation has been given to the Rural Financial Counselling Service who is currently experiencing a great increase in requests for assistance. Local counsellors will identify families in rural NSW who need support and provide them will a financial ‘gift’ from the CWA of NSW to be used to assist with essential expenses.

“Our members know only too well the difficulties of trying to keep a farm and a family going in a drought and so they were keen to help,” said Tanya.  “We know that farmers prepared better than ever for this drought but no one could have foreseen just how long it would last.”

The CWA is the largest women’s organisation in Australia and aims to improve conditions for country women and children. There are currently 10,000 members in NSW belonging to 395 branches across the state.

The CWA of NSW operates a Disaster Relief Fund to assist people in need and donations to this fund can be made via www.cwaofnsw.org.au/donate