By CHRIS EARL
COUNTRY solidarity took to the steps of State Parliament in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Up to 10,000 had a message for Premier Jacinta Allan: dump the emergency services tax that passed through State Parliament last week.
Many had left hours before dawn. Some travelled by car or bus, others on disrupted or reduced train services. 
From all corners of the state, country people united and angered. Among them hundreds of residents from Loddon communities.
There was a united front from Loddon Shire standng with local communities. Mayor Dan Straub, councillors Miki Wilson, Gavan Holt, David Weaver and Nick Angelo, himself a volunteer with the Woodstock West brigade that took itself offline after the Government got crossbench numbers to carry the vote last week.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking told the rally the past week had not been a good one to be a farmer - the new tax that will jump the hit on farmers 150 per cent, release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan and a drought announcement for some areas.
Newbridge’s Chris Ramsay dusted off an old drum from his farm shed and used it to accentuate the beating anger in the bush.
“I’ve got my farm but also lease land. The margin is already tight and with the tax, it will be even tighter,” he said.
“We’re already having a lot of pressure put on us as farmers.”
Powlett’s Geoff Canfield said the tax “will probably break us. We’re in the middle of a drought  and with no income coming in for the next two years, possibly longer, how are we going to pay this tax?”
Buses from Wedderburn and Boort arrived as the rally was starting, both held up in grid-locked Melbourne traffic. They were armed with banners and placards walking up Spring Street to the rally. The street was lined with fire trucks while a few blocks away, two trucks also blocked Flinders Street.
Other Loddon residents, including Peter McHugh, complained that at least one early morning train on the Bendigo line had a reduced number of carriages, all seats filled and passengers standing in the aisles by the second station stop in Kangaroo Flat.
Loddon farmers and firies said they attended the rally to support all country people facing a tax hike in tough times.
The Unbreakable Farmer, Warren Davies, a familiar speaker in Loddon towns, addressed the rally. He urged people to stay connected. “We need to stick together.” He was cheered with the same intensity that greeted other speakers calling on the emergency services tax to be scrapped.
Dan Straub said: “There’s been a clear message today the tax must be stopped. Council agrees with the sentiment. We are all here today ... councillors standing with our communities.”