Cobar gave Brendan Farrell and the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners a ‘rock star’ welcome earlier this month when they passed through town on their way to Queensland.
Locals lined the main street and entrance to town to show their support when the trucks rolled in from the Kidman Way on January 7.
As well as taking much needed hay to struggling Ilfracombe graziers, the convoy of 120 trucks was expected to go down in the history books as a Guinness World Record.
Hay run organiser Brendan Farrell had coordinated a total of 5,000 large bales of hay to be delivered with his convoy travelling 1,860km across three states.
Inland Petroleum Cobar BP manager Mandy Dell said Mr Farrell had walked into the shop one day last year and asked if they would be interested in supporting the hay run to Queensland.
After helping out in three previous hay runs Mrs Dell said they were keen to lend a hand.
She said her staff had donated their time to prepare and serve lunch for over 300 truck drivers and support crew on this run.
“It’s a bit of fun and a way to give back,” Mrs Dell said.
Staff from The John Mitchell Pharmacy also jumped on board to accept donations of snacks and food to hand out to the drivers as they passed through.
Members of The Rotary Club of Cobar helped out with the Cobar lunch stop along with 10 members of the West Dubbo Rotary Club who were travelling with the convoy.
The West Dubbo crew prepared breakfasts each day for the drivers and supporters and also helped out with other meals along the way.
Immediate past president Lance Murphy said the Dubbo club had been involved in a number of hay runs.
“We’re keen to support the community and help out country people that are not as fortunate as us,” Mr Murphy said.
Former member of the Australian House of Representatives and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was part of the hay run travelling with Albury truck driver Sam McClelland.
“It’s good to see so many families out supporting in each of the towns that we pass through,” Ms Hanson told The Cobar Weekly.
Plans for another hay run in April are already underway with Mr Farrell saying this run had barely helped out half of the farmers in the Ilfracombe area.
The region is reported to be one of the most drought-affected areas in Queensland.
