"It's really rough, everywhere we go in Australia there's a different situation," Tash Kocks said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chief executive of not-for-profit charity Aussie Helpers, Trish has witnessed firsthand the devastation natural disasters cause to hard working farmers.
Whether it's in the flood affected Mid North Coast or drought ravaged Central Queensland, she has seen it all.
Tash visited the Great Lakes and Manning last week, alongside an army of volunteers, to determine the support needed for 12 farming families in Taree, Nabiac, Kimbriki and other areas.
"It was a full-on week," Tash said.
The initial focus of the charity was the mental well-being of farmers.
"One farmer we saw came out of six years of drought, had half his house burnt down from the bushfires and now ankle deep water went through his house in the flood," she said.
"It's tough for all of them and it takes an emotional toll."
Tash said: "There's lots of rebuilding to do" and the biggest problems facing affected farmers currently is the replacement of damaged fencing and feed.
The team will return to town next week to assist 18 more families.
"While we were there, people were getting in contact saying 'there's someone always worse off than us'.
"So they're passing on details of other farmers who we need to see."
Meeting face-to-face is the best method to uncover the real issues of coy farmers.
"They could say 'we only need help with feed' but once we talk to them for a while we realise they need help with other things."
Tash said there's no blanket solution to helping farmers because each situation varies.
"We always provide financial assistance through visa and fuel cards.
"It works two-fold, they can spend the money themselves so it's not like someone else is paying their bill which takes away any shame they may think they have asking for help.
"They use the visa cards in their own town and it's so important to support their own communities because they're the ones that are supporting the rest of us."
They're hit by one thing or another and keep going because they love what they do, they're proud people and they love providing the rest of us with the food on our tables.
- Tash Kocks, Aussie Helpers chief executive
Some issues are considerably uncustomary.
"In Central West NSW, farmers had a bumper crop but were then hit by a mouse plague," Tash said.
Earlier this week, Tash was alerted to a family farm accident where a boy was killed.
"Those farmers are struggling so we're paying for a funeral.
"We cover lots of things, it's just not feed, water and food."
Since 2002, the charity has assisted more than 150,000 farmers. When they get knocked down, they get back up.
"They're so resilient and amazing people who just keep going," Tash said.
"They're hit by one thing or another and keep going because they love what they do, they're proud people and they love providing the rest of us with the food on our tables."
The charity also had raised more than $50 million and saved more than 10,000 livestock.
All farmers form part of the Aussie Helpers 'extended family'.
"We got through the highs and lows with them and there's some farmers we helped 12 years ago and we're still in touch," Tash said.
Some have decided to pay it forward. Farmers from the Hunter, who were helped during the drought, recently sent hay to the Mid Coast.
"That's really special to have those connections."
Tash was in Central Queensland this week for a drought relief day.
"These guys are still in drought... everywhere we go they're facing so many challenges," Tash said.
"I'd love for them to have a great year."
Aussie Helpers was founded by Tash's parents, Brian and Nerida Egan, in Dalby, Queensland.
"They were ex-cattle farmers who lost their farm through drought but discovered there was no assistance, no one to turn to and nowhere to seek help.
"Dad wanted to help out and be the person people could go to.
"It started from a raffle for $20 worth of groceries and here we are 19 years later a charity with a value of cash and assets of about $24m."
She started in an administration role four years ago and worked her way up the ladder, following in the footsteps of her parents.
"I got to see why they were so passionate for what they did and how once you're in you can't get out because you are compelled to help people," Tash said.
"We aren't the show pony type, we like to do what we do and get out."
She hopes to continue her dad Brian's legacy - he died in early 2020.
"He's been a huge loss to us," Tash said.
"It's great for people who donate to us to see where the money goes," Tash said.
"We have a few great corporate sponsors but most of our donors are everyday Australians who want to help out others."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter:
- Follow us on Instagram