WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THEIR FRIENDS....

I'm not going to put up any of the distressing pictures from the present devastation and heartbreak our farmers are experiencing in North West Queensland

Oh!  How I wish I was rich!  One thing is certain - I wouldn’t be flying around in a private jet with money clandestinely hidden away in the Caymans! 

I get so annoyed when I say I’d like to win a major jackpot in the Lotto, and the reply I get from some people is (usually uttered with a tinge of disdain in their voice) – “Oh! That’s too much for one person!” 

The way I think...it is not too much for one person.  I, personally, don’t need a lot.  I don’t need a huge house or large fancy car.  I have no desire to go on cruises, or travel overseas or locally.  My needs are simple and humble.   

In winning a major lottery jackpot I could help so many people in need who desperately need help.  I’d not shout my philanthropy from the rooftops...I’d do it quietly, privately.  It would be my own business. But, boy, oh, boy...I’d gain so much pleasure from doing so.  I guess that makes me selfish...I’d be having so much fun doing so! 

Last week I had my visa and passport stamped to enable me to drive down to the lovely rural township of Beaudesert; a town about 30 minutes drive away, down off this mountain, to the west. The township is growing rapidly.

 I packed the Minties, tossed in a couple of bottles of water, a couple of oranges, some sweet biscuits, along with a cut lunch; a tent, rug, thermos, esky, dinner set and cutlery.  You see, I’m not well-travelled; nor do I travel well, or often.  Being an ex-Brownie and Girl Guide I like to be prepared.  One never knows...I’m a “just in case” kind of person.   You do realise, of course, the above is a slight exaggeration!

While I was at the dentist in Beaudesert I spoke with a lady who told me she and her family were farmers further out from Jimboomba, a rural area, not far from the town.  Sadly, the lady told me they’d received none of the welcomed rain we, here up on the hill, had done the previous week. 

If I were rich, it would be our much-in-need farmers I would be helping, of that you can be certain.  They’d be on top of my list.

On the road into Beaudesert my spirits lifted when I drove past paddocks filled with cattle and their calves nonchalantly minding their own business, ignoring me completely. A smile spread across my face re-awakening memories from my childhood – of the carefree times spent with friends at their parents’ dairy farms in the outskirts of Gympie. 

However, simultaneously, as I watched the cattle grazing, my emotions were conflicted - very raw.  

Horrific images of the dead and dying cattle on properties in north-west Queensland tormented my mind; as they have been since the catastrophe hit in our northern and north-west regions.  And, the problems our farmers elsewhere in this country are facing day in; day out...year in; year out.

I can’t begin to understand, or even imagine, what our farmers are going through; and go through year after year, faced with adversity whichever way they turn. 

Deep sorrow dwells heavily in my heart when I think about the devastation our farmers are faced with after the unforgiving deluge and flooding in our state’s northwest.  Seeing pictures of the thousands of dead cattle tears my heart into pieces.

Grave concerns for the mental welfare of our affected farmers must be of urgent, upmost importance. They need help, urgently, in many, many ways. 

Our farmers are the backbone of this country. If we lose our national herd, we are stuffed! 

Our farmers can’t win!  It’s either drought, bushfires, or floods. They can’t take a trick, no matter which way they turn. 

Dorothea Mackellar, in 1914, at the age of 19, wrote “My Country” - her poem about our sunburnt country...of droughts and flooding rains.  Her poem was first published in 1918.  It became a staple of our childhood learning.  Her words are part of this country’s tapestry...and ours...each and every one of us.

We need our farmers.  Don’t be fooled into believing otherwise.  They need our support.  Support them, we must; not only now...but always.  

Our food doesn’t magically appear on the shelves, or the refrigerated sections of our supermarkets.  It comes from the back-breaking, never-ending hard work and dedication of our men and women of the land. We MUST support our Aussie farmers. We MUST buy Australian-grown and produced products...now more than ever. 

Let’s not depend on imports from countries whose agricultural practises are questionable.   The full effects of the disaster up north haven’t begun to be felt.  With your help, my help – our help...by buying “Australian” we will be assisting our most-deserving farmers.  If you are unable to donate...purchase only Aussie... not imports.   

Reach out......

An aside....A couple of months before Christmas when handing my rent to my landlord...I dodge him as much as I can – he is a man who thinks he knows everything – even better he “knows” he knows everything.  He doesn’t let you get a word in and continually talks over you.   Therefore, because he is such an annoying individual, I try only to have dealings with him once a month when I hand him the rent...rent that I always pay around 10 days in advance.

On that particular day, silly me, without thinking, said to him...”It’s terrible the hardships our farmers are facing...”

As is his habit, he immediately butted in and talked over me.  His response to what I’d begun to say...to discuss...was...”Oh!   We don’t need farmers in this country.  We don’t need to depend on farmers...we can import everything.,,”

I couldn’t reply...I didn’t trust myself to reply.  Without a saying one word, I immediately turned on my heel, and entered my cabin...my converted dump of a shed! 

If I’d lingered a second longer I would have taken his head off with my walking stick.   

Anger still rises within me when I think about what he said that day... I’m feeling anger as I write about it now.

To prove I don’t make up stories....he repeated as much the afternoon of the Australia Day lane party.  The people I was conversing with at the time couldn’t believe what had come out of his mouth!  The looked at me, stunned that such words would come out of his mouth...he added - "Farmers!  Farmers have millions of dollars!"

It really is a wonder he still has a head attached to his body!

 

Rib Eye with Roast Sweet Potato Medley: Preheat oven 200C.  Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Combine 400g each chopped Gold, Purple and White sweet potatoes evenly on trays. Toss with olive oil to coat; season. Bake 35-40mins until golden and tender.  Drizzle 4xbeef rib-eye steaks with extra olive oil. Season both sides. Cook steaks in a large oven-proof frying pan over med-high heat for 2-3mins each side until browned. Transfer pan to oven; cook for about 5mins. or until cooked to taste. Rest steaks for 5mins; serve with sweet potato medley and seeded mustard.

Herb-Crusted Topside Roast: Preheat oven 240C. Arrange 12 French shallots, peeled and halved and 3 large chopped carrots in roasting pan.  In bowl combine 1tbs olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 2tbs wholegrain mustard, 1/4c finely chopped thyme, rosemary and oregano; season. Spread over 2kg piece of topside roast.  Place beef on top of vegetables; pour 1-1/2c beef stock and 1/2c red wine around the base. Place in oven; reduce heat immediately to 200C. Roast 45-60mins.  Cover top of roast with foil if over-browning.  Remove roast from oven; set aside; cover with foil; rest 15mins. Return vegies to oven for 15mins. Meanwhile, boil 800g potatoes, cut into 3cm pieces, until tender; drain; return potatoes to saucepan; season. Mash with butter and milk/cream until smooth; then stir through 1/4c grated parmesan. Slice beef; serve with shallots, carrots, parmesan mash, sugar snaps peas and a rich gravy.  

Balsamic Veggie Pasta: Cook 375g penne pasta in generously-salted boiling water al dente according to package instructions: drain and set it aside. Meanwhile, as the pasta water is heating and the pasta is cooking, heat 2tbs olive oil in pan over med-high heat. Add 1 thinly sliced red onion; sauté, stirring occasionally, 4mins.  Add 500g fresh asparagus, cut into bite-size pieces,1 small head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces, and 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced; season.  Continue sautéing 4-5 more mins, stirring occasionally.  (Adding in another tablespoon of oil if needed.)  Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and continue sautéing for 1-2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant.  Remove from heat.Once the veggies and pasta have all finished cooking, return the stockpot to the stove over med-high heat.  Add 1tbs olive oil, cooked pasta, veggie mixture,  3 to 4tbs balsamic vinegar, lots of freshly-cracked black pepper; toss to combine.  Sauté 1-2 mins, stirring occasionally, so the pasta is very lightly toasted.  Taste; add extra balsamic vinegar and black pepper if needed. Remove from heat; sprinkle over grated Parmesan; serve warm.