Why local news matters: The hay run from Gippsland to West Vic

Readers often tell me they feel disengaged from the news, either because it depresses them, or they don’t see enough local stories from their towns or communities.

That’s why in today’s media landscape, telling local stories about a community working together or lending a helping hand is so important to me. It gives readers and viewers a sense of place and something to smile about.

So when my colleague from our sister publication the West Vic Brolga, Zara Cuthbertson, contacted me about doing a story on Gippsland farmers sending hay to drought-stricken farmers in western Victoria, I jumped at the chance.

In June, parts of western Victoria were experiencing severe drought and some of their lowest rainfall on record.

To show solidarity with struggling farmers and to help a community in need, farmers from Gippsland came together and sent 14 truckloads of hay across the state.

For the story, I spoke to Orbost farmer Peter Henderson, who recalled being sent hay from western Victoria when his sheds burnt down in the 2019-20 East Gippsland bushfires.

Henderson told me it felt good to be able to return the favour and know that farmers across the state were always looking to help each other out.

Corangamite Shire farmer, Michael Beecher, told Zara at the West Vic Brolga: “The timing of the hay couldn’t have been any better. They’ve really saved us, to be honest. Otherwise we’d have to sell lots of young stock and move them on.”

For me, this story illustrated how telling local news can add to a sense of community and camaraderie, whether that’s in one small town or across a whole state.