Generosity keeps on truckin’

In 32 years on the road Russel Vale’s Tom Canvin saw plenty of drought.

Since his retirement from the trucking industry Mr Canvin has dedicated himself to helping others and is now part of a small team of dedicated individuals with a heart for Australia’s proud, but struggling farmers.

“I used to drive around the countryside all over Australia,” Mr Canvin said.

“You stop in a little country place at the pub and talk to the people and a don’t realise how tough they are- and then you see the sheep and the cattle trying to get grass (in drought conditions)…I can’t really put into words how that makes you feel.”

Mr Canvin decided to help others after getting surgery on his knee when he retired, and on top of his work with drought relief charity Aussie Helpers puts his professional skills to good use driving a bus for Anglicare.

Aussie Helpers was founded by Queensland man Brian Egan, a Vietnam War veteran who lost his own farm in the 1990s because of drought and personal depression.

Mr Egan’s personal story and that of Aussie Helpers was the subject of ABC TV program Australian Story last year and Mr Canvin happened to be watching at the time.

Inspired by Mr Egan and his desire to see drought affected farming families properly cared for Mr Canvin signed up and has been helping in any way he can ever since.

Already this year Mr Canvin has visited every primary school from Mt Oulsey to Helensburgh to ask for their assistance with the work of Aussie Helpers.

He said many of the schools have been keen to help out, but have had to look at their prior commitments and talk to P&C groups before agreeing.

MR Canvin hopes to return to the schools early in term two to following up on the original buzz.

Mr Canvin said people in cities don’t understand how tough life really is for farmers, who rely so much on the weather and the land to survive.

“When you go (to the country) you hear people talk about the look (of delight) on kids’ faces when they get an old toy that kids down here wouldn’t even want to play with,” he said.