WHEN it comes to drought, it’s hard to know how best to offer a helping hand. Grace Brennan has found a near perfect way to support drought-affected communities where it counts – the hip pocket.
The idea is simple: to provide an easy way for city people to support their country cousins who are doing it tough. Launching the #buyfromthebush campaign in mid October, Grace could never have imagined the pace at which the movement would grow.
“The speed of growth is seriously overwhelming,” she says. “I think people do care about what is happening with the drought but don’t often know how to engage.”
Grace and her family live on a sheep farm 70km from Warren in Central West NSW, and she says there has been increasing tension in the local community as the drought drags on.
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The day the city woke up to the drought
The response from city dwellers to an article she posted on social media encouraging friends to support rural businesses proved to be the light-bulb moment. Since then, buyfromthebush social media has featured rural stores and services from across Australia’s drought-stricken regions, accumulating 113, 000 followers on Facebook and 114,000 on Instagram within weeks of the launch.
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Grace Brennan, Founder of #buyfromthebush.
“If you go out west why not get your car serviced, book in for a haircut or have a meal,” Grace says. “Dollars are one thing but the feedback we are getting from bush businesses is about feeling valued outside their immediate communities.
“It’s hard to know what to do to support people living through drought. This is just one positive way to invest in small businesses who are feeling the strain. We’ll be showcasing the beautiful things you can find in small boutiques and handmade goodies from locals. Forget the convenience of Amazon this Christmas and invest in something really important.”
Meet NSW regional businesses benefiting from the cause
Mink & Me Owner Lucy Moss from Coonamble.
What is your business?
I am originally from Sydney but moved to Coonamble four years ago when my husband and I came back to the family farm. Some other smaller regional towns had a nice retail place where people could meet, buy a gift or something nice for themselves. So I took a leap of faith and opened my boutique, Mink & Me.
How has the drought hit your operation?
The drought has been long and relentless. I made the decision in early 2018 to set up a website to ‘drought proof’ my business and rely less on sales in store if the conditions persisted. It was tedious to set up but definitely worth it as it now accounts for 30% of my turnover. The burden of drought isn’t just financial. The sense of isolation increases and people are just doing it tough.
Your tip for other bush businesses?
The sense of country community and a real relationship with customers is very valuable. My country lifestyle is intrinsically linked to my business, so I share that with my customers and followers.
What do you think of #buyfromthebush?
In two weeks, we have posted over 250 parcels, in a normal week, I’d send 15 parcels for online orders. Normally, I have one person working with me. At the moment, I’m employing an additional three to help keep up with #buyfromthebush orders.
“Sticking to your game plan" keeps regional business moving
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Millwoods Founder Jane Robertson from Coolamon.
What is your business?
I am a mum to three and live on a farm. I started Millwoods as I couldn’t find shoes for my son that were good quality leather, good for his feet, which he could put on himself, so decided to make my own.
How has the drought hit your operation?
We launched at the end of a good season and initially sales were brilliant. As the years have passed and rainfall decreased to be non-existent, we have seen a decline in sales. The drought, albeit extremely difficult on the farmers, is exposing the vulnerabilities of the micro economies that surround these areas.
Your tip for other bush businesses?
Don’t give up. Stick to your game plan and believe in your offering. Everyone has to have a sense check with business at times, but it can be very easy to get disillusioned and feel like you’re getting nowhere. It’s important to keep moving, putting one foot in front of the other.
What do you think of #buyfromthebush?
This campaign has done wonders for our business. Our orders have increased dramatically, our Instagram, Facebook followers are growing by hundreds of followers every day and the traffic to our website is so encouraging.
Creative arts and wellbeing workshops raise the spirit of rural communities
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My Rural Retreat Owner Tina Skipper from Guyra.
What is your business?
I run creative arts and wellbeing workshops and our mission is to provide a place for people to ‘relax, reconnect and create’. My initial idea was to provide a service for people from this region, but now we are attracting lots of city dwellers, who are wanting to go bush.
How has the drought hit your operation?
I definitely noticed a decline in the numbers of people signing up for workshops. People are indicating they would love to come, but just cannot justify spending the money on themselves. I am now thinking of how to minimise costs, but provide a great day out. We have a ‘Sip, Swap & Shop Day out on the Drought’ coming up where people can enjoy a cuppa, or champagne, bring second-hand items to swap, buy local produce, and hear from an interior designer on ways to re-think and re-invent our spaces with what we already have.
Your top tip for other bush businesses?
Stick with it, and support each other. Find a few people who run their own businesses in your town/region and meet on a weekly basis to share your good news, victories, intentions and even your bottlenecks.
What do you think of #buyfromthebush?
I noticed my followers grew instantly once my business was profiled. And the numbers just keep increasing! It is raising awareness of the impact of drought on small towns, raising the spirits of the small business owners, showcasing how innovative ‘bushies’ can be, and hopefully doing more than selling product.
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Paddock-to-plate beef direct to the consumer offers solutions for drought affected farmers
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Our Cow Co-Owner Bianca Tarrant with her two children and dog from Casino.
What is your business?
My partner Dave and I started Our Cow after being severely affected by last year’s drought and bushfires. We made the decision to go directly to the customer with our product [pasture-raised beef] as we could guarantee ourselves a price all year round, and we could do the same thing for other like-minded farmers who were also producing a good animal.
How has the drought hit your operation?
This drought has been devastating for our community. It has a flow-on effect to everyone in a community, from the farmer to the local shop owner, everyone is hurting from this drought.
Your tip for other bush businesses?
Remember why you started. Having a strong reason why you’re doing this is so important in business. Starting a small business can mean long hours and little return for a while but it’s very rewarding knowing the difference that you’re making in people’s lives.
What do you think of #buyfromthebush?
So many people want to support farmers and rural towns but they feel the only way to do this is through aid. A campaign like this has shed light on the many regional and rural businesses out there who are doing wonderful things despite the drought.
*For more information, go to their
Facebook or Instagram account. NSW Farmers is proudly promoting the campaign via social media.