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For Australians doing it tough, this year's Rural Aid Mates Day held on November 23 had an award-winning, indie pop artist song recorded to inspire and uplift.
Jem Cassar-Daley, daughter of Australian country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley, teamed up with Rural Aid to record a new version of one of the greatest folk ballads of all time.
Carole King's 1971 signature song, 'You've Got a Friend' was recorded especially "for our mates in the bush".
The poignant and powerful anthem will serve as a soundtrack for this year's Mates Day, Rural Aid's largest annual giving day.
"Farmers are the people we all need three times a day,"
- Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters
Ms.Cassar-Daley said she hoped the song would help Australia's most trusted rural charity shine a spotlight on the mental health of Australian farmers and the alarming gaps in regional healthcare.
"Despite being more than 50 years old, Carole King's -'You've Got a Friend', couldn't be more pertinent or timely for the Rural Aid's Mates Day initiative," Jem said.
"The main message - all you have to do is call - resonates powerfully with Rural Aid's core service of free, confidential counselling to Aussie farmers and their families.
"I am humbled to be able to lend my voice to such an important cause and to do my bit to shine a spotlight on Rural Aid's vital work."
Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters said Australian farmers continued to battle with natural disasters, including last month's deluge in Eastern Australia which flooded 43 towns in New South Wales, 24 in Victoria and three in Tasmania.
In stark contrast, parts of Queensland remain drought-declared and large tracts of South Australia have endured some of the driest months on record.
"Rural Aid stands with our farmers when they need us most, providing water and fodder deliveries; financial, volunteer and counselling support, and developing programs to build sustainability in rural communities," Mr. Warlters said.
Mr. Warlters said Mates Day was an opportunity for all Aussies to throw their support behind our primary producers and help Rural Aid reach its $2.4 million fundraising target.
"Farmers are the people we all need three times a day," Mr. Warlters said.
"We might only go to the doctor and dentist a couple of times a year, but we need the professionals who grow our food every breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's our farmers and they are some of the best in the world."
Rural Aid health and wellbeing manager Lauren Stracey, said the demand for counselling services in rural areas had escalated in the last 12 months, with increased numbers from the 16,000+ primary producers registered with Rural Aid seeking support.
To meet demand, Rural Aid's counselling team has grown from three to 15 in a year.
"Rural Aid counsellors live in the areas they service, understand the nuances of farming life, and usually visit farmers on their properties to deliver mental health support in ways that overcome barriers," Ms. Stracey said.
"This vital service allows our primary producers to prioritise their mental health by bringing the support to them in the place they feel most comfortable.
"Sutton llama farmer Glynda Bluhm has first-hand experience of Rural Aid's lifesaving support, including the supply of water relief during an eight-year drought.
"During the drought, I could have walked into any of the 14 dams on my farm and cleaned the floor of them; it was a dust bowl," Ms. Bluhm said.
Cattle farmer, Bruce Warren works tirelessly on his beautiful property called Pine Park in Carneys Creek (just outside Boonah), where he breeds Red Brangus cattle.
The drought was extremely difficult for Bruce and his property, and led Bruce to becoming majorly depressed. Rural Aid supported his farm with much needed hay for this cattle and counselling for his mental health.
."Rural Aid helped me buy water and food for the animals - they were going through $1,500 worth every week. Without Rural Aid, I don't know where I would be right now."
Rural Aid's Mates Day took place on Wednesday 23 November however you can still donate at ruralaid.org.au/donate. Jem Cassar-Daley's 'You've Got a Friend' will be available on all leading streaming platforms from 23 November.
Linda Lambrechts
Wine, beer and spirits specialist. Editor SH Magazine
Wine, beer and spirits specialist. Editor SH Magazine
