General News
27 January, 2026
Hearts for Harcourt: Farmers bale up support
TRUCKLOADS of donated hay have been carted from Derby to Harcourt since the town was ravaged by fire.
Peter Gath last week made the trip five times, delivering dozens of bales to the makeshift depot at the Victorian Miniature Railway that only opened last month and was saved as fire surrounded the town.
Each day he has been greeted by Brian Nunn who stayed to defend property as fire hit the town.
“It was scary ... I wouldn’t stay again though, I don’t know what I was thinking that night,” Brian said.
The volunteer hay co-ordinator said the response from farmers across Victoria with hay donations had been “absolutely unbelievable and we even had one turn up from Gippsland with hay in a horse float and promising to be back with more.”
Brian said deliveries from Loddon farmers were helpng Harcourt district farmers and horse owners feed stock.
Peter and son Adrian through their Derby Farming Company had arranged for the first delivery within three days of the fire.
Neighbour Colin Hokin was among the first donors and has been helping Peter load each delivery.
Another neighbour Sam Harrison donated 10 bales that were on the first delivery.
A load Friday had 14 round bales donated by Dave Edwards, of Bridgewater Farmware.
Adrian said people were also buying bales to make a practical donation to support the Harcourt district in its recovery.
“Andrew and David Collins and their family from North Bridgewater generously arranged a donation of their own hay to support a family they know in the Sutton Grange area affected by the fire,” he said.
Peter said it would be important for support to continue.
“Everyone is giving generously now but that support and supply of hay will still be needed in another month,” he said.
Brian lost much of his earthmoving equipment in the fire. “Don’t know what I am going to do,” he said, putting another donated bale in place ready for collection.