Company pledges $25,000 to bring Christmas cheer to drought weary NSW
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today congratulated Gladesville-based radio manufacturer, Standard Communications, on its Christmas pledge worth $25,000 to help drought stricken NSW farm families.
The company registered the pledge to the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Christmas drought donations register.
“This is a tremendous sign of support for the people in the bush who are struggling with the worst drought in 100 years,” Mr Macdonald said today.
“I take my hat off to Standard Communications for leading the way and spreading the Christmas spirit into the hot dry regional areas of the State where Christmas will be marked by one of the driest seasons on record.
“Standard Communications design and manufacture world class communication equipment such as two-way GME Electrophone radios which many farms rely on for communication.
“It is great to see a company that relies on the support of farmers in the good times there to help in the tough times too. No doubt this generous act will brighten up Christmas for many families and for that they will be very grateful.
“The money will be used to purchase vouchers at local supermarkets. Welfare agencies will contact the NSW DPI Christmas donations register then distribute to those most in need.”
The DPI registers donation pledges, welfare organisations will then access the register and arrange to receive and deliver the donations directly to recipients.
“This is one way of ensuring donations get to the people doing it tough,” Mr Macdonald said.
“Almost all of NSW is now drought declared.”
More information about the NSW DPI Christmas drought donations register is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.
To make a pledge contact the NSW DPI Drought Hotline 1800 814 647.
The area in drought is 93.6% (up from 89.3%) while the area experiencing marginal conditions is 4.1% (down from 8%). The area of the State experiencing satisfactory conditions is just 2.3% (down from 2.7%).