Farm Aid Telethon: guide

On Monday Nine stages its Farm Aid Telethon.

This will begin with a special edition of Today with Karl Stefanovic , Georgie Gardner, Deborah Knight, David Campbell and Leila McKinnon at Dubbo Showground and continues until 4pm (except for 11:30am Nine News).

The day-long event will also be filled with fun and entertainment, with celebrity guests popping by who include favourite Nine personalities such as Doctor Doctor star Rodger Corser, comedian Magda Szubanski, croc wrangler Matt Wright, and live performances from Shannon Noll, Mental As Anything, Dragon, and Wendy Matthews.

In South East Queensland, Nine’s Melissa Downes, Andrew Lofthouse, Garry Youngberry and Aislin Kriukelis will be positioned at Leslie Park, Warwick. Throughout the day they will bring viewers regular reports from the drought-affected region, as well as welcoming a live performance from The Voice 2017 winner, Judah Kelly.

The hosts and their guests will take part in some hilarious stunts and light-hearted challenges, including mastering the bucking mechanical bull, navigating through a dicey inflatable obstacle course, powering through a high-speed wood-chopping contest, attempting a tug-of-war competition and much more. 

The local community in each area is invited to join in the fun, with a family-friendly carnival atmosphere planned at each broadcast hub until 4.00pm including free rides, games, complimentary food and beverages and a community sausage sizzle.

Throughout the Farm Aid Telethon there will be regular crosses to Today’s Natalia Cooper and The Block’s Shelley Craft at the Optus designated call centre in Sydney, where a top lineup of celebrities will answer and process donation calls via the 1800 732 165 hotline.

On the day, callers may get a chance to make their donation while speaking with The Block Foreman Keith Schleiger, Blockheads Norm and Jess, Bianca and Carla, and Hayden and Sara, Bite Club’s Robert Mammone and Marny Kennedy, Married at First Sight experts John Aiken and Trisha Stratford, and Aussie swimmers James Magnussen, Emma McKeon, Bronte Campbell, James Roberts, among others.

So far, Nine’s Fighting for Our Farmers Drought Relief Appeal has raised $4,340,021 but more is urgently needed. All donations are being administered by Rotary Australia with the aid of the National Farmers’ Federation, who today announced the first $1 million raised will go to three charities.

Half a million dollars will go immediately to Need For Feed which has been sourcing fodder from across Australia and providing eligible farmers with up to 10 bales of quality hay. They are also providing dog food and food hampers.

The NSW and QLD branches of the Country Women’s Association will each receive $250,000 to continue providing farming families with financial relief for household expenses such as groceries and bills.

Farmers can apply for assistance via quick and easy online application portals by contacting Need for Feed or theCountry Women’s Association:

Need For Feed: www.needforfeed.org or 0459 444 111
CWA of NSW: www.cwaofnsw.org.au or (02) 8338 1595
CWA of QLD: www.qcwa.org.au or (07) 3026 1220

From 5:30am AEST  Monday on Nine (check local guides).

Donate Now todayshow.com.au 1800 732 165 (5.30am to 10pm AEST weekdays, 7.00am to 10.00pm AEST this weekend) or at any Westpac branch (during business hours).