The Summer Campaign Overview
From December 1st 2024 to February 28th 2025, Bushmans Tanks launched a Summer campaign with Rural Aid Australia – a charity that provides critical support to farming and rural communities across the country.
Our goal for this campaign was to help make a difference in these severe dry conditions that many farmers are facing, and to bring awareness to all communities across Australia.
For every 25,000L poly water tanks and any Aqualine Steel Tanks sold, Bushmans Tanks donated $20 to Rural Aid Australia. Bushmans Tanks is thrilled to announce that this Summer Campaign raised an incredible $23,300 for Rural Aid Australia.
As you may already be aware many farmers, particularly in South Australia and Victoria, have been suffering from extreme prolonged drought periods. These droughts have caused a number of negative impacts, including;
- Damage to ecosystems
- Higher risk of bushfires
- Soil erosion
- Crop and livestock loss
- Mental health challenges
It doesn’t just stop there, though. Related industries such as manufacturing, transportation and retail also suffer as a result. In short, droughts have a huge impact on whether or not items can be stocked on store shelves – a concern that has unfortunately led to reduced supply, and price hikes.
Due to the rapid climate Australia has been facing, The Australian Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO have indicated that droughts are projected to become more drier and last longer as a result of these climate changes.
This is why Bushmans Tanks is dedicated to supporting Rural Aid in their effort to provide relief to struggling farmers. Without farmers, Australia’s food supply/food security, economy, and regional communities would be impacted significantly.
A look into a farmers landscape: A desperate need for rainWho Is Rural Aid?
Established in 2015, Rural Aid Australia’s main goal has always been to safeguard farmers and rural communities every step of the way before, during and after natural disasters. Droughts, bushfires and flooding are common occurrences in Australia, and now more than ever farmers have been facing extreme difficulties navigating through these events. As Rural Aid is an independent charity, they rely on industry partners and supporters to help fundraise, donate and volunteer.
Over the last decade, Rural Aid Australia’s notable work has included support for farmers with;
- Mental health and wellbeing counselling services
- Financial assistance (due to natural disasters, drought support)
- Fodder assistance (such as donating bales of hay)
- Domestic water carters (portable water delivered to farmers in need of household water)
- Delivering water tanks
- Educational funding and resources
- Strengthening rural communities
Over the past 12 months alone, Rural Aid Australia has provided more than $5M worth of support for farmers in need. This equates to roughly;
- Over 6,200 bales of hay provided to livestock animals such as horses, cows, sheep and goats
- 198 Rainwater tanks delivered to relieve financial stress, water conservation, and drought preparedness – especially for those in rural regions
- Over 1,380 counselling sessions to support farmers going through anxiety, stress, and depression
If you, or someone you know is struggling and are a primary producer, you can apply for assistance below after registering here first
Contact Rural Aid Directly
Why Bushmans Partnered With Rural Aid
Bushmans Tanks is proud to have partnered with Rural Aid Australia for a variety of reasons. However, in particular one of the overlapping key values we have in common with Rural Aid that is aligned within Bushmans’ core values, is supporting regional Australia.
The ongoing effect of the droughts and the devastating impact it has had on farming communities has been a major concern. With limitations of resources lacking in rural and remote regional areas, these communities often face a bunch of unique challenges.
Some of the disadvantages these farming communities can face are;
- Limited access to employment and income
- Financial hardship – especially in the event of natural disasters, such as droughts. This can impact the ability for these communities to afford basic necessities, and disaster management solutions (such as rainwater tanks)
- Due to lack of healthcare services such as mental health support or primary/specialist care, residents within these communities are at a higher risk of poorer health outcomes, chronic illness, mental health issues, and injuries
- Technology limitations due to regions being too geographically isolated, or lack of reliable networks
Here at Bushmans Tanks, we are highly committed to supporting rural communities, and with Rural Aid’s partnership, we are able to give back to the community and help make a difference in a crucial industry that keeps Australia running.
Impact and Support in Action
As mentioned prior, we helped raise $23,300 for Rural Aid during our Summer campaign period by donating $20 from each eligible 25,000L water tank purchase, and for any Aqualine Steel Tank purchase.
Aside from that, Bushmans Tanks also gifted an additional 25,000L poly water tank (valued at $3,650) for free to a farmer based in Eudunda, South Australia on Tuesday June 10th. Sitting in the Mid North region of South Australia 110km from Adelaide, Eudunda is a historic agricultural town. The town is known for it’s grain production, livestock farming, and engineering firms that support the industry. The town’s nickname is “Valley of the Hidden Treasures” due to its rural charm, and heritage.
The Eudunda’s farmers story is similar to what many farmers across South Australia and Victoria are facing; dry conditions so extreme that the drought has impacted the farm’s production – reduced crop yields, soil erosion, livestock productivity decline, financial strain, environmental impacts, lack of or limited water access – the list goes on.
The significance of this donation in particular was not only just because of these dry conditions, but a rather unsafe condition. The farm was using quite an outdated concrete tank, which showed its wear and tear covered in cracks, discolouration and safety concerns. With Bushmans 25,000L water tank donation to replace the outdated-on-its-way-out tank, we were thrilled to be on site as the tank was placed in it’s new home.
Special Delivery!Rural Aid Recovery Event
As the droughts continue to plague the country, particularly in South Australia, Rural Aid will deliver another helping hand to a drought-stricken Eudunda, thanks to their Farm Recovery Event (FRE). The week-long event will run from June 15 to June 21 2025, and will see a team of dedicated volunteers assisting local farmers. The aim of the event is to assist these local farmers by repairing fences, maintaining properties, clearing vegetation debris, and helping with small-scale construction projects.
Rural Aid Australia aims to restore the safety, functionality and dignity to farming properties. CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters said “This drought is unrelenting and the pressure on farming families is immense” he continued to share Rural Aid’s dedication to the cause “This isn’t just about dry weather—this is about livelihoods, legacies and mental health. Many farmers are doing it tough, quietly and without complaint. We’re here to say: you’re not alone”
The Bushmans team also presented the $23,300 donation cheque to Rural Aid at a Farmer Recovery Event;
Bushmans Tanks presents Rural Aid Australia with a $23,300 chequeYou can read all about the Rural Aid Recovery Event here, and check out the tank delivery below;
How You Can Support Rural Aid
Rural Aid Australia has made it incredibly accessible so anyone can help however they can. The smallest of actions can make a difference both online and in person.
Get involved directly;
Bushmans Ongoing Support for Rural Australia
Out with the old and in with the new: A farmers brand new tank in it’s new homeIf you bought a water tank, or multiple water tanks from Bushmans during this summer campaign – thank you. Your contribution helped us make a huge positive impact, and your purchase has gone to help support farmers with;
- Mental health check calls
- Helping provide in-person counselling
- Providing mental health resources to communities
- Helping provide mental health programs in schools
- Providing clean water
- Drought Support
- Plus much, much more
Thank you again for helping us reach an incredible donation amount. We are delighted to see the impact this has had, and Bushmans will continue to support farmers by donating and getting involved.
Do you, or someone you know need to buy a water tank for your property? Shop our entire product range here. If you’re interested or have any questions about our rainwater tanks, fill out our contact form here or call us on 1800 287 462.
Be sure to also keep an eye out for any additional farming support/grants in your state;