Stranger's kind offer for drought-stricken farmers who need 'well-earned break'
While Malcolm Turnbull coughed up $195 million in relief for the drought-stricken farmers, a Queensland woman has done what she can for farmers in need of a “well-earned break”.
Jen Peut, from the Sunshine Coast, took to Facebook on Wednesday to offer any struggling farmers the chance to forget their woes for a few days and enjoy a break at her rental property in Mooloolaba.
“Does anyone know any farmers from out of town doing it tough that need a well-earned break?” she asked.
She offered up her three-bedroom, two-bathroom home free of charge to any farmer in need while the property is in-between tenants.
“The current lease on the property is coming to an end and it will be vacant until the new tenants move in, so we couldn’t let this wonderful opportunity for a farmer pass up,” Mrs Peut told The Sunshine Coast Daily.
“They can bring their small pets and just relax and unwind.”
Her selfless act won the praise of dozens online, with many suggesting friends to take up the offer.
“What a beautiful kind thing to do for someone. You’re an angel,” one user wrote.
“Bless you for having such a kind heart,” another commented.
And the offer spread further in the comments section, with a hair salon near the property promising a farmer’s wife a free hair colouring if they use the property.
NSW fully engulfed by drought
Ms Peut’s offer comes as official figures showed the entire state of NSW is now impacted by drought.
A drier-than-expected June and July has left many farmers with failing crops, a short supply of water and diminishing livestock feed.
According to the Department of Primary Industries, 61 per cent of Queensland is either in drought or intense drought, while nearly 39 per cent is drought affected.
“This is tough,” NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘There isn’t a person in the state that isn’t hoping to see some rain for our farmers and regional communities.”
Turnbull’s offer will provide two lump sum supplementary payments worth up to $12,000 for eligible households.
The government also changed the assets test to allow thousands more farmers to access support in “recognition of the severity of this drought.”
With AAP
