Weekly Times |
FARMERS and livestock agents are being urged to support a rural-themed fundraising initiative for injured Albury footballer James McQuillan.
Organisers of the James McQuillan Future Fund have launched the “farmers helping a farming family in need” drive, encouraging producers to donate livestock to local saleyards.
Profits from the sale of the livestock are then passed on to the fund, which will help pay for McQuillan’s care and rehabilitation after he became a quadriplegic as the result of injuries in an Ovens and Murray league match in April.
Livestock drive organiser Michael Baker said the future fund was “looking to raise funds in any way we can”.
“I work in the agribusiness industry and I’ve seen it (livestock donations) done on a smaller scale before, so we decided to give it a go,” he said.
“The response we’ve had from agents and farmers has been very encouraging.
“All the agents so far have waived their commissions and the saleyards have waived their dues.”
Baker said the livestock drive might appeal to farmers unable to make a cash contribution to McQuillan’s recovery fund.
“If you ask a farmer for $140 he’ll probably say no, but if you ask him for one lamb out of 100 he might say yes, and it’s the same result,” he said.
Saleyards at Wodonga and Corowa will receive donated livestock until the end of July, but organisers hope the drive can be rolled out across rural Australia.
McQuillan, from a dairy farming family at Nanneella, near Echuca, is undergoing treatment at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Melbourne. He suffered serious spinal injuries in an accidental collision in Albury’s grand final rematch with reigning premier Yarrawonga.
The Round 1 game was called off and deemed a draw after McQuillan’s injury.
The clubs met again on Saturday, when the gap between Albury and the rest of the Ovens and Murray league was laid bare.
The Tigers ravaged the dual reigning premier by 62 points after racing to a seven-goal advantage at quarter time in the Round 10 clash.
Led by six goals from Andrew Carey, five from former Carlton player Setanta O’hAilpin and a best-on-ground performance from ex-Richmond midfielder Dean Polo, the Tigers piled on 22.8 (140) to the Pigeons’ 11.12 (78).
The two clubs have played off in the past five Ovens and Murray grand finals but Albury looks to have the wood on its rivals this year.
In the lead-up to Saturday’s match, the Tigers had booted 200 points or more in three consecutive matches.
For livestock drive details, go to jamesmcquillan.com.au
