Drought Breaker Lunch to Rally Support for South Australian Farmers

The tables are set and guests on their way as Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, prepares to host the first-ever Drought Breaker Lunch today - July 18 - at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

Hosted by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA, in partnership with Rural Aid and Rural Business Support, today's event will raise vital funds and awareness for families in rural and regional South Australia who are battling the devastating impacts of the ongoing drought.

In an interview with FlowFM prior to the event, Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the lunch "is a real statement of support" for those enduring multiple years of financial and emotional hardship due to failed seasons and dwindling incomes.

“When you’ve been living through drought for two or three years, a little bit of help goes a long way,” Mr Walters said.

The event will feature an impressive line-up of speakers including Olympian and Commonwealth Games marathon champion Jessica Stenson, who brings her own deep understanding of resilience and rural life, and media personality Jess Adamson as MC.

Attendees will also hear personal stories from farming families and Rural Aid counsellors based in drought-stricken areas like the Upper Eyre Peninsula.

When asked about the ongoing efforts by Rural Aid to support farmers doing it tough in not only South Australia, but the whole country, Mr Warlters said the charity is really proud of the role it has and continues to play in helping farmers out.

"It gives me great heart and makes me really feel especially good about the work is when we showcase what it is that we're doing to support people and the rest of the community rallies

around us and does what they can to help," he said.

"We're very, very appreciative of that help because it's what enables us to keep on doing the work that we do so we want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us so far."

"And hopefully the Drought Breaker Lunch lives up to its title and does exactly that. It becomes the trigger point to bring the much needed rain to all of those parched parts of South Australia and we

see the back end of this drought for once and for all."