Perth Students Raise $52K for Drought-Hit Cattle Stations

When boarding student Zara Ryan had to leave her Perth school for two weeks to help destock her family's cattle station, her classmates decided to take action.

Students at Presbyterian Ladies' College rallied during National Boarding Week, raising $52,000 to send emergency hay to drought-affected stations over 1,000 kilometers north. Combined with donations from Lions Clubs in southern WA, the community effort raised more than $100,000 total.

This week, 14 road trains loaded with donated hay and fodder began the long journey from southern farms to the parched Gascoyne and Murchison regions. Some stations in these areas haven't seen meaningful rain since 2023, forcing families to hand-feed cattle daily just to keep them alive.

Zara's family property, Minnie Creek Station, has endured nearly four years without rain. Her younger sister Faith, a year 9 student, watched as the fundraiser grew beyond their expectations. "It's hard when you're doing it tough, and it's even harder to know who to ask for help," she said.

For John and Claire Mahony at Moorarie Station, the donated feed arrived just in time. Their cattle haven't seen green grass since 2023, and the constant expense of buying hay was becoming unsustainable. "It's such a relief," John said. "It's good to know that we will have more as I think we'll be feeding for the rest of the year at least."

The Ripple Effect

The students' compassion sparked something bigger. Day students at PLC, many who'd never been to a farm, started asking questions and learning about the realities of drought. What began as supporting their boarding school friends became an education in rural resilience.

Sam Starcevich from Farmers Across Borders, the charity coordinating the deliveries, was overwhelmed by the community response. "It's been overwhelming, and we're just so grateful to everyone," she said as the trucks headed north with oat hay from Kojonup and straw from the Esperance region.

The donated feed won't end the drought, but it gives these families breathing room to wait for rain without watching their herds starve.