Fight For Survival - New Idea

There's a major catastrophe looming in Australia's heartland and it's time for the entire nation to dig deep to rescue the sufferers.

As the land swelters under a five-year drought in Queens-land, in northern NSW, 83 per cent of the bush lies parched.

Indeed, across the country, our farms the backbone of the nation lie barren and desolate, aching for the rain that never comes. It's said to be our worst drought ever.

Meanwhile farmers, isolated and in desperate need of help struggle alone, trying to survive in the harsh, brutal conditions. They've never needed our help so desperately. Now that help is starting to flow, but in terms of what needs to be done, it's still only a trickle.

This Wednesday (September 7), Australia's music super stars will perform in a spectacular concert, The Best For The Bush, which will be held at the Glasshouse in Melbourne and televised live on the Nine network.

The show will feature Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Jason Donovan, Tommy Emmanuel, James Blundeil, John Williamson, The Black Sorrows, Lee Kernaghan, Anthony Warlow, Icehouse, Rick Price, Tina Arena and Debra Byme.

New idea is donating 5 cents from every copy of this week's issue sold to the cause. (See column at right.)

John Farnham, who donated royalties from his single Talk Of The Town to farmers, is totally committed to helping.

I've seen it first-hand, I've seen their plight, he says. I know the pride they have and how hard it is for them to be public about their problems. People who work on the land don't complain as much as a lot of other people would.

I really hope Australis gets behind this as much as they do in other crises. We're going to make sure this money sees the results, that it goes to where it's needed most.

Jason Donovan had planned to head straight back to his London base after a surfing holiday in Ball. But when he heard of the farm plight, he decided to lend his talents.

Jason says time in the bush making his new film Rough Diamonds made him realise the severity of the situation.

The older one gets, the more you understand the bottom line of where industry and food and life comes from, he says. It's nice to come home and do something on a giving, as opposed to a taking, basis.

People will definitely open their hearts. I think we're, sort of, a nation of working on the land. It's very much a case where most of Australia is the country not the city and I think people should dig in to their pockets and appreciate where things start, he says.

Australia's most popular country music performer Lee Kernaghan jumped at the opportunity to be in the concert.

Since I am in a position where I can make a difference, I'd like to make every effort to do so, Lee says. That way I can attempt to ensure the workers and the families who are the backbone of our country are not simply ignored.

All the performers have donated their services, and viewers in all states will be able to contribute via a hotline displayed during the concert. The $15 tickets for the concert are on sale through BASS outlets.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast resident Chris Yeomans is ecstatic over the way New Idea readers rallied to her crusade to help drought-stricken farmers after her story appeared.

There was a lot of reaction. I was overwhelmed, she says. There was plenty of stuff donated, cheques in the mail, and so many rang offering help after the story (was published last month).

Chris and a group of volunteers have collected and sent 100 pallets of goods and clothing worth $2 million to the needy on the land. But there's an urgent need for more. To help, ring Chris on 015 667 823.

By Gary La Personne

After our stories about the A desperate plight of Mamilies on the land, hundreds of readers called wanting to know how they could help. We felt the same way here, so I'm proud to say that with every issue sold this week, New Idea will give 5 cents to help bring relief to drought-stricken farmers.

Australians have always been quick to help those in need anywhere in the world. But now the 'need' is here, at home. When I heard that women on drought-affected farms were going without soap, toothpaste and other essentials, I was appalled. When I was told babies were wearing rags, it didn't seem possible in a land so rich, carefree and blessed. But never have people been more in need than the families who have battled for years, hoping for life-giving rain. For so long, their hard work helped to make Australia the "Lucky Country".

Now it's our turn to help them.

Susan Duncan, editor