Darcy Howard has witnessed the effects of drought first-hand.
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The Chevalier College year 11 student, who comes from a family of farmers, wrote a poem about the challenges of life on the land as a part of an English assignment.
Darcy's poem was inspired by stories he read in The Land newspaper and Outback Magazine.
“I’ve read a lot of stories about rural suicides," he said.
"It hit home because I know people in similar situations.
"I know a lot of people in drought who are struggling."
Through a friend of his agriculture teacher, Darcy’s poem was shared by news website ten daily.
The poem captured the hearts of Australians, and was praised for its candor.
This earned Darcy an appearance on Studio 10, and the opportunity to speak to a national audience about the drought.
Darcy, who wrote the poem during the school holidays on his grandparents' farm, didn't expect to garner this level of attention.
"It was a bit of a whirlwind," he said.
"On the ten daily [top stories list] it went Darcy Howard, Donald Trump and Meghan Markle - That’s not something you see everyday.
“I never set out to do anything special. If I helped one person, then I’d be happy.”
According to a recent Department of Primary Industries (DPI) NSW state seasonal update report for June 2018, the Wingecarribee Shire is experiencing an “intense drought”.
This is the most serious category of drought.
The category is determined based on three factors, including the level of rainfall, soil water and plant growth.
According to the rainfall index in the report, a large proportion of NSW is experiencing below average to extremely low rainfall.
This includes the Wingecarribee Shire, which ranks extremely low, in the 0 per cent to 10 cent category.
In terms of the soil water index, the shire also ranks extremely low.
Despite the drought, Darcy is looking forward to a career on the land.
After school Darcy wants to move to the Northern Territory, work on a cattle station and gain experience during mustering season.
After a year he wants to return home and work as a stock and station agent.
His end goal is to manage and own a large property to sustain an income.
“I don’t think the drought would really deter me [from pursuing a career on the land]," he said.
"I’ve grown up on properties and I know what good times look like.”
Darcy said there were several ways for people to show solidarity with farmers.
"When you’re in the shops, buy locally-grown and produced products. Even if it costs extra money," he said.
"There’s also a lot of different causes to support [such as Buy a Bale and Drought Angels]. If people can support them as much as they can, that would make a difference.
"With drought at the moment, people support a lot of people overseas but people in our own community need help."
Darcy said there were misconceptions that there was a quick-fix for the drought.
"If it rains in the city, it doesn’t mean it rains in the country areas," he said.
"If we get 10mls of rain, it doesn’t make a difference, it settles. If it rains now it doesn’t mean problem is fixed instantly.
"With the lack of feed, we won’t be able to have feed back in sheds until harvest, which is around late November."
Darcy Howard's poem
He had nearly had enough of this life upon the land,
His bore had all but given up and the water trucks were banned,
he had no big dams left they had all turned into a puddle,
and his stock were dying left, right and centre, he knew there’d soon be trouble.
He was trucking in hay from interstate, and buying wheat from Britain,
but now that his water had run out, his fate was all but written,
Two hundred thousand was now his debt some stock would have to go,
but the market price had fallen through, and his cattle were as poor as a crow.
See he couldn’t ask his kids for help, they had gone off and married,
and his wife, you see, she was crook, everywhere she had to be carried.
A riding accident was all it took, almost a year ago,
it was up to him to run the farm, no longer the deadly combo.
His last hope, you see, would be the bank, his fate was in their hands,
but he’d missed his last four payments, so he decided to make some plans.
He couldn’t ask for help, from his mates within the town
pride had taken over, he didn’t want to be a let down.
So he sent his wife to a nursing home, there she would live out her days,
no longer could he care for her, he knew he’d love her always.
He would burn the house, and shoot the poorest of the cattle,
and take his fats to next-door, this was his final battle.
He saddled his horse for one last time, and gave old Jack a pat
he knew this was his best ever horse, no better mount he had sat.
He drove his final 100 steers along the dusty road, when he came across a dreaded sight,
a ute was wrapped around a tree, and it was well alight.
The saddest part about this was, he had seen the ute before,
it was Bruce’s ute from down the road, a man that he cared for.
Well he raced down to the scene and let his horse loose,
the smell of burning diesel led to the finding of Bruce.
Well he got back on his horse and raced back to Bruce’s homestead
to discover a disturbing scene, in the corner of his woolshed.
The sound of a crying baby led him to a terrible sight,
a child lying with a handwritten note, and so he began to recite.
'To whoever finds this little poem first, I have to apologise,
but I will pray for you, from the highest heights of the skies.
My wife just upped and left me with a child to care for,
she’s been gone for about a month now, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
My property’s been in the family since back in 1876,
and now I’m in so much debt, it’s too much for me to fix.
Will you see that my little son grows up with a happy, loving face,
and that one day he returns, to his rightful place.
I have to say I’m sorry, to my little boy,
I know that this is not the answer, but at the moment it’s all I can employ.
The bank won’t give me another loan, and your mother’s taken my money,
this life I’m living at the moment, nothing is ever funny.
I’ve been shooting sheep every day, for they are too poor to survive
and I can’t afford hay to feed, and the bores are in overdrive.
This life is tough upon the land, but don’t let it ever get you down,
because I did the selfish thing, up here in Cape Town.
The old gum tree on Jim’s creek road will be my final resting place,
I wish you the best my son, I hope you win your race.
Look after our property, with all that you can muster,
and never do what I have done, my beautiful little buster'.
He wept the tears from his dreary face, and looked down towards the cries,
a gleaming, beautiful little face, innocence in his eyes.
Well he did his duties, called the police and the ambulance then came,
and he swung his horse for home and with the cattle did the same.
He realised that there was no purpose, in ending it like Bruce did,
because tomorrow is a new day, and now he’s gotta look after a little kid.
He realised now that he’s not the only one who's been in drought and in debt,
'cause rain is always around the corner, so don’t do something you might regret.
For help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For help with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.
It is also recommended that you make an appointment with your general practitioner (GP) or mental health professional to discuss your symptoms.
While almost 100 per cent of NSW is in drought, many are surprised to learn that it extends to the Southern Highlands. An area famed for its garden tourism, our region’s producers are doing it tough. The Southern Highland News has established The Green Illusion campaign to highlight the plight of our primary industries, sharing stories and seeking solutions for those who are struggling in our own backyard. How is the drought affecting you? Visit www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/community/forms to share your story.
