General News
15 January, 2026
FIRES 2026: Hendy’s helping hand as farmers donate hay
What started as a video on an iPad turned into a convoy of hay bales bound for Alexandra earlier this week - all in the name of helping those affected by the Longwood fires.
IF THERE’S anyone who knows how to help someone in need, it’s a group of farmers.
What started as a video on an iPad turned into a convoy of hay bales bound for Alexandra earlier this week - all in the name of helping those affected by the Longwood fires.
Hendy’s Transport took the three truck loads in a convoy on Monday morning after Darren Petrie had seen the devastation that fire had caused.
“He saw the video and knew there would be people around here who would want to help like he did,” wife Margaret said.
“Darren had seen the video on his iPad on Sunday morning and started the ring around.
“It hits home hard for these farmers and they all want to help where they can.”
Mr Petrie rang Troy Hendy and between the two of them, they brought together enough bales of hay to fill their trucks and then some.
“I think they got about 15 farmers from Gooroc, Sutherland and Traynors Lagoon,” Mrs Petrie said. “They were all more than willing to do their bit to help out.”
While they originally planned to be Seymour-bound later in the week, the call come in to say the roads had opened up and their supplies were needed within a day.
“Darren and Troy did the ring around again and got all the farmers to bring their bales in and get the trucks loaded Sunday night,” Mrs Petrie said.
“They left St Arnaud around 8am on Monday and went to Seymour and got a police escort from there.”
And if there are any other farmers who were thinking of getting involved, Hendy’s are hoping to do another trip in that direction in the coming weeks.
“I know we have some oates we want to take over and a few more farmers have said the same thing,” Mrs Petrie said.
“Farmers know what it’s like to be hurting like this, they can be some of the most generous people. This made sense for them.”
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