Grazier donates sheep to property that lost thousands in outback Qld flooding

Australia Broadcast Center

12-05-2025

There is an unwritten rule in the outback — when a mate falls, you help them back up.
So, when Will Roberts heard about the livestock losses that Queensland graziers were dealing with after devastating flooding, he knew he had to help.
He and his family, whose property at Morven in the state's south-west was unaffected by flooding, donated 400 merino ewes and 14 rams to a primary producer who had lost thousands of sheep.
"We didn't have a helicopter so we couldn't go out and help them," Mr Roberts said.
"We thought this was one way we could actually do something for somebody.
He said it only took a few phone calls to coordinate trucking the flock to a south-west Queensland sheep station.
A rural agent put him in touch with the grazier, a local livestock carrier offered to truck the sheep for free, and shearers volunteered their labour to help process the sheep.
"It's just been quite amazing because everybody's really keen to help in whatever way they can," Mr Roberts said.
"Lots and lots of people have become a part of the process … it's really special."
The sheep were destined for an abattoir but instead became a lifeline for grazier Steven Hall.
Merino sheep are a popular breed in south-west Queensland as they can be shorn for wool or sold for meat, and breed high-quality lambs.
Mr Hall said the flooding came right before shearing season and as a result he lost significant income when he lost 2,500 sheep out of his 6,000.
"They were all full wool sheep, so it was a bigger loss than just the sheep," Mr Hall said.
Between the livestock and fencing loss, he estimated the damage could be up to $1 million.
Mr Hall said the Roberts's donation had softened the loss significantly.
"Four hundred ewes gave us another 10 bales of wool … and with the rams, that's probably another 400 lambs this year," he said.
"It's one of the kindest things that's ever happened to me.
"The generosity is just unbelievable."
For Mr Hall, it is a gift that has meant more than "any government hand-out".
"It's the Aussie spirit, isn't it?" he said.
"It's just meant the world to us."
On top of the usual charities that organise flood relief, several outback residents have recently taken it upon themselves to help those affected.
Morven resident Kylee Tindall-Smith started the Pay 4 A Panel initiative to send donations directly to graziers to rebuild their fences.
Grazier Anthony Glasson is coordinating the Fridge for a Friend project, which aims to provide a fridge and washing machine for every affected home in Thargomindah.
Mary O'Brien, founder of suicide prevention service Are You Bogged Mate?, has organised the Grease Army, a team of volunteer mechanics heading to outback properties to help fix water-damaged equipment.
"We thought this was important, particularly for clearing roads and fences and burying stock."
Ms O'Brien stressed that often stoic primary producers should not be reluctant to accept help, including mental health support.
"It's not a hand-out, it's a hand up," she said.