There will be a true country feel at each of the four race meetings around NSW this Friday as our industry proudly stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Australia’s farming community.
To help support farmers who have been impacted, and continue to struggle through tough times of drought, floods, fires, and economic hardship, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has become involved with the ‘Flanno for a Farmer’ campaign.
Instead of simply donating to the worthy cause, GRNSW decided to help try and raise more awareness around the crisis.
As such on Friday which is Flanno for a Farmer Day, at all four NSW greyhound meetings being staged - Wagga, Goulburn, Richmond and Ladbrokes Gardens - a unique fundraising twist will turn every race into an opportunity to help rural communities.
In the 45 races across the four venues, when a greyhound wearing an even-numbered rug wins a race, GRNSW will donate $200 to the Flanno for a Farmer cause. When a greyhound wearing odd-numbered rug wins a race, the local club will donate $200.
Those 45 donations will see $9,000 donated to Flanno for a Farmer, but GRNSW has decided to make it a $10,000 donation.
Every dollar raised will go directly to Farm Angels, who provide care packs, financial aid, and mental health support to farmers across Australia.
GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said the initiative is about recognising the enormous contribution farmers make to the nation and showing them they’re not alone.
“Our farmers feed and clothe the country. They endure some of the harshest working conditions imaginable, and while they are resilient, they shouldn’t have to shoulder those challenges without support,” Mr Griffin said.
“Every 10 days, we lose an Australian farmer to suicide. That’s a heartbreaking reality we can’t ignore. By joining the ‘Flanno for a Farmer’ campaign, we’re sending a message that the greyhound racing community values and supports our rural heartland, and we encourage everyone to get behind this cause.
“GRNSW has decided to bring the tally up to $10,000 but we shouldn’t stop there for this vital cause. Everyone has the opportunity to donate to the campaign via the official GRNSW Flanno for a Farmer fundraising page www.flannoforafarmer.com.au/grnsw-1 .
“I thank our clubs for their involvement and encourage everyone within or outside our industry to get involved.”
Glen Quirk and Barney all ready in their Flannos for a big Friday starting at Goulburn.
To help with awareness, and for national television exposure, for one day only, NSW greyhound handlers will dispense with their usual racing bibs which they wear when taking the greyhounds to the starting boxes and pull on flannelette shirts to show their solidarity for the campaign.
To achieve this GRNSW was granted approval from the industry regulator the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission to allow handlers to wear non-approved attire.
GRNSW also sought approval from the industry’s major sponsor, Ladbrokes - whose branding adorns the handlers’ bibs – to forgo the bib sponsorship obligation for the cause.
“Ladbrokes is proud to be a long-standing partner of GRNSW, and we’re especially pleased to support the Flanno for a Farmer initiative. We recognise the important role racing plays in strengthening rural communities, and this cause is a fantastic example of the industry giving back where it’s needed most,” Ladbrokes Interim CEO Andrew Vouris said.
Farm Angels started Flanno for a Farmer as a way to say thank you and show up for the people who show up for us every single day. It has grown into a national campaign of compassion and community.
Aussie farmers need our support more than ever. While life on the land has always come with challenges, recent years have tested farmers like never before and just because they can handle a lot, doesn’t mean they should have to.
Many are still recovering from bushfires and floods, others are living through crippling drought. The hard truth is that it takes three to five years for a farmer to recover from a single disaster.
When the headlines fade and the cameras are gone, the hardship remains and that’s when our farmers need support the most when they can feel most overlooked, underappreciated, undervalued, and alone.
One farmer dies by suicide every 10 days - 59% higher than the general population, nearly half have experienced suicidal thoughts, and close to a third have attempted to take their own life.
Farm Angels provides practical and emotional support to farmers when they need it most, especially in the long, hard months after the disaster has passed, from urgent financial aid and mental health referrals to a simple call that reminds them someone cares, the impact is life-changing.
Together, we can remind Aussie farmers they’re not alone. That we’re with them, not just in the crisis, but through the long road back.
