Rotary District 9670 Drought Relief Card Voucher Appreciation Response

Posted on April 17, 2019April 18, 2019 by Cards4all

Dear David,

We wish to extend our appreciation for the very generous $3,000 funding gifted by the Rotary District 9670 for drought affected communities. We are extremely grateful for this support which will be a big help.

Our area has been in drought since the end of 2017 with our annual rainfall for 2018 being 156mm and so far for 2019 we’ve received 72mm in three rain events. In mid-January 2019 we destocked 90% of our sheep as we could no longer afford or justify the purchase and transport costs, as much of it was coming from interstate.

Our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in this very worthwhile project. Your thoughtfulness and compassion means a great deal to us.

Take care and kind regards,

Ann & John Crossing

We hope the following photos give you an insight into our property Glenace and again we thank you for your generous support. These photos show a variety of seasons experienced over the past 8 years of our ownership. Even during this extreme drought we are excited, because when the rains do finally come, seeds in the soil will regenerate and we will see our paddocks green again with many native grasses – and some new ones that have been dormant for quite some time, just waiting for the right conditions. This new growth will not only feed our stock but also support the native wildlife who we rely on for our biodiversity and balance of the environment.

Looking after my mate in the current drought – we run our sheep and cattle as one mob to give the best impact on the soil. Their hooves help break up the hard ground allowing rainfall to be absorbed and distribute maximum dung as they move through the paddock. The dung is full of seeds and this is another natural way of distributing it over the property. Photo taken 10.3.18

Paddock littered with dung and plant matter just waiting for the rains to regenerate the seeds within the soil. We are excited to see what will regenerate as we are now starting to see more perennial native plants in place of annuals which is our focus for better soil health. Photo taken 22.4.18.

Praying for rain – 14.5mm received – these are the natural colours of our landscape along with the magic sunsets of Western NSW and clear skies to view the stars and especially the Milky Way. Photo taken 16.10.18

Our front paddock a few days after the 14.5mm – waterspreading banks assist in taking the energy out of the water so it has time to soak in, thereby in effect watering the paddock. Photo taken 17.10.18

Natural bushland with invasive woody weed which overtakes the landscape, blocking sunlight so nothing will grow. This area of the paddock is 200 acres. – Photo taken 9.1.16

Last good season — John enjoying our last good season Sept 2016.

Clearing the 200 acres shown in the previous photo. Having now removed the woody weed and selectively cleared a few trees under an environment licence, sunlight and moisture are able to reach the ground. Over a few years this landscape has regenerated with native grasses for our stock and wildlife. Photo taken 30/4/16

The 200 acre paddock after clearing — The 200 acre paddock in the previous photos, after clearing, rest and a good season, regeneration happens. It is now bare because of the drought but this photo shows what it is capable of and so much more with good management. Photo taken 4.9.16

John and his companion Bud. Photo taken 4.11.18

Cleared and regenerated paddock — Another cleared and regenerated paddock showing waterspreading banks which take the energy out of the water and helping with more rainfall absorption and reduction in erosion. Prior to these landscape improvements this land was not capable of feeding our sheep or cattle because of the thick bush and woody weed. Photo taken 4.9.16.

A ewe lamb named Cheeky enjoying the comfort of my iris garden. Photo taken 19.10.18

Gorgeous Major Mitchell Cockatoos – their numbers are growing as we provide the right habitat for them. Photo taken 29.4.18.

Ringneck parrots — Ringneck Parrots – we have a variety of birdlife which come and go, but these parrots always seem to be around. We feed out a bird seed mix to help them during the drought and their breeding. Photo courtesy of Zandria from ZPhotography98. Photo taken 2.7.17.

Should you wish to follow our journey we have a Facebook and Instagram page called @nourishandgrownaturallamb.

Kind regards, Ann & John Crossing