An epic adventure to King Island over the weekend has seen eight trucks make their way over rough seas to deliver 450 bales of donated hay to almost 100 farmers.
Need For Feed has completed countless hay runs to date, but this is the first time it’s volunteers have headed across to an island.
As Need For Feed founder Graham Cockerell explained, this run involved “a hell of a lot planning”.
He spoke to Big Rigs this afternoon as he made his way back home from the trip to Beaconsfield, in Melbourne’s south east.
His 2007 Western Star was one of eight trucks that embarked on the journey to King Island. “I’ve just pulled up now, back in my hometown,” he said.
For the trip to come to fruition, Graham added, “All the schedules had to come together – I’m relieved it’s all done.
Preparations were underway from last Wednesday, July 24, where the trucks were loaded up in the Victorian town of Corack. They arrived at Port Welshpool, in Victoria’s South Gippsland region on Thursday, before being loaded onto the boat on Friday and setting sail.
There were supposed to be five semis and three B-doubles on-board, but unfortunately one of the trailers didn’t fit on the boat, so had to be left behind.
“These were the first B-doubles on King Island – ever,” Graham revealed. “When we applied for the permit, the NHVR didn’t know where King Island was. The local council was very supportive and so were the state roads.”
However getting there wasn’t all smooth sailing. “It was meant to take 16-18 hours by sea, but it took us 23 hours. We had really bad weather on the way over,” said Graham.
“There were three to four metre swells and 40 knot winds. It was very rough. We ended up with three trailers tipping – not completely but at a decent angle. Three trailers were damaged – a landing leg on each and an airbag. And a truck got damaged after being squashed between the next truck.
“But that’s all repairable and no one was hurt.”
This run follows 550 bales that were sent across to King Island just six weeks ago. “We didn’t take our trucks last time but decided we’d go across too for this run,” said Graham.
“Because we were travelling by boat, the trucks could be over-height and over-weight and then we just unloaded them when we arrived on the other side.”
King Island is a prime beef region, with cattle farming being among its biggest industries. In recent times, however, it’s been affected by drought. And it looks like Need For Feed volunteers arrived just at the right time.
“At King Island it’s picked up a little now with a tinge of green everywhere but farmers have used up all their reserves of fodder to get this far.
“These hay donations should get the through to spring. Hopefully a bit of sunshine and a bit of rain will see them growing grass again like they should be.”
In conjunction with the Lions Club of King Island, Need For Feed held a special evening on Saturday for the farmers and their families, with 150 people attending the ‘Night off the Farm’.
“It was a really good night and was great for all of the farmers to get together,” said Graham, adding that planning will now turn to the next hay run, scheduled to take place on Father’s Day weekend.
“We’ll have a bit of a rest after this one and then for Father’s Day weekend will most likely head into South Australia.”