City heart, country hands

On a cold and rainy day just a few weeks ago, Geelong Regional Council President Martin Butler received a surprising call that would soon spark a story of compassion, connection and community. “I usually don’t answer calls from unknown numbers,” Martin recalled with a laugh, “but something told me to pick this one up – and I’m so glad I did.”

On the other end of the line was Vincent Marino, ex-President and proud member of the Bundoora Rotary Club. Vincent introduced himself, with a simple message: “We have $10,000 to help struggling farmers. We want it to go to Victorians who need it – now.”

It was a powerful moment.

The generous donation, raised through the tireless efforts of Bundoora Rotary’s members – including sausage sizzles, raffles and with vital support from Bunnings – was gifted to the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria. It has since been transformed into fresh food vouchers for farming families quietly bearing the brunt of a long and grinding drought.

“You hear about the pressure families are under and we just wanted to make sure our support didn’t get lost,” Vincent explained. “We trusted that Martin and the Society would deliver help where it was needed most – we wanted to make an immediate impact.”

Martin and the Geelong Conference did just that. With decades of experience as a social worker and in farming, he knows all too well the emotional and financial toll drought can take.

“This isn’t just about dry paddocks,” he said. “It’s about children going to school with anxiety, parents skipping meals to pay for feed and families doing it tough behind closed doors.”

Working through the Society’s conferences and networks in Camperdown, Colac and beyond, Martin hand-delivered the food cards with dignity and discretion. “These are proud people,” he explained. “They don’t normally present in welfare circles but this gesture showed them – they’re not alone.”

The food cards are already easing the burden on households overwhelmed by the costs of feeding livestock, carting water and simply keeping afloat. “When your food bill triples and it costs $500 just to bring in water – it’s a crisis,” said Martin.

“This is what real community looks like,” he reflected. “City people reaching out to rural families with empathy, understanding and dignity. The support from Bundoora Rotary wasn’t just financial – it was a message that they’re not alone.”

Vincent echoed the sentiment: “If farmers can’t produce food, where does that leave the rest of us? We might be in the city but we’re all connected. Helping them is helping ourselves.”

At the heart of this story is the power of practical compassion. The Society is proud to serve as the bridge between generous hearts and communities quietly struggling. Through trusted local networks and long-standing community presence, the Society ensures help reaches the people who need it most – quickly, respectfully and with lasting impact.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Bundoora Rotary Club for their generosity and unwavering commitment to community and to our dedicated members like Martin Butler, whose tireless compassion and local knowledge bring our mission to life – thank you. It is through these partnerships and people that the Society is able to continue delivering hope and practical assistance where it is needed most.