WIMMERA pubs are supporting the agriculture industry by participating in the ‘Parma for a Farmer’ challenge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The challenge supports Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale initiative where emergency hay is being supplied to farmers who are struggling to keep livestock alive during the drought – particularly in NSW.
Horsham’s The Vic Hotel is just one pub raising money for the initiative.
Owner John Brennan said $1 from every parma purchased throughout August would be donated towards the cause. He said the challenge was a small action that could help in a huge way.
“This is just one small thing that we can do to help our farmers and when everyone helps out in a small way, it has a bigger effect,” he said.
Mr Brennan said parmas were a popular meal and people were already showing their support.
The Great Western Hotel started the challenge on Friday with the introduction of a ‘Farmer Parma’ to their menu. With every Farmer Parma sold for the remainder of the year, the hotel will donate $5 to the Lions Club of Australia’s “Need for Feed” program, which supplies emergency fodder and transport.
Great Western Hotel publican Bruce Ahchow said no-one liked to see anyone struggle – especially farmers.
“Farmers can control so much of their operations, but the most important ingredient of farming they can’t. It must be devastating,” he said. “We were absolutely floored with the amount of support this has already received.”
Stawell’s Gift Hotel manager Mattie Jones said $2 from every full-priced parma would go towards the fundraiser. The venue will also have a donation box at the main bar and a meat tray raffle on Friday nights.
“In Stawell and the surrounding areas, there are lots of farmers and they are struggling,” Mr Jones said.
“The fundraiser helps out the guys who help us put food on the plate. Hopefully people will get behind it, including other pubs, restaurants and cafes.”
The Dooen Hotel, Horsham’s Madeka's Pizza Pasta and Roasts and St Arnaud’s Farmer’s Arms Hotel will also be raising money.
Horsham Bunnings’ sausage sizzle on Friday will also raise money for the campaign.