Charter Hall shopping centres have been busy collecting funds for drought affected Aussie farmers, and providing short term relief and support for its local farming communities with 800 large bales of hay and 50 truckloads of water to be distributed across 20 farming and rural communities.  

This much needed drought relief was made possible by the support of shoppers across more than 20 Charter Hall shopping centres. Late last year, buskers performing country music filled 20 Charter Hall shopping centres, collecting funds for drought affected Aussie farmers within the local communities.

Every dollar donated by shoppers in the ‘Dam Good’ drought relief campaign, was matched by Charter Hall, raising a total of $196,363. 100% of the funds were donated to Rural Aid Australia through the ‘Buy a Bale’ initiative providing farmers in our community with much needed support.

Charter Hall’s Singleton Square, located in the heart of the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales is in the privileged position to work with a range of community partners who share its goal of mutual success and improving the wellbeing of its local community.

On Wednesday 23 October 2019, the centre team at Singleton Square joined Rural Aid on the Hay Bale drop of approximately 100 tonnes of wheaten hay, 127 large hay bales.

At Max & Maxine’s dairy farm in Singleton, close by to Charter Hall’s local Singleton Square shopping centre, the team met with the farmers firsthand and gained an understanding of the hardships they face, while also helping 24 local farmers.

On the 28 October, the Dubbo Square team helped to deliver 102 tonnes of wheaten hay, 127 large bales to 18 farmers in Dubbo. The Dubbo Square team visited Terry and Joe’s cattle and sheep farm, connecting with the local farmers and gaining a greater understanding of their hardships firsthand.

Greg Chubb, CEO Retail Charter Hall, said “We’ve seen firsthand what impact the drought has had on communities around Australia. Government aid and loans have been granted but more help is needed, and our ‘Dam Good’ campaign was a way for us to give back to those most affected whilst helping to create further awareness of the great work Rural Aid is providing to farming and rural communities.”

Rural Aid supports farmers and rural communities in times of natural disaster such as flood, fire and drought. In addition, Rural Aid focusses on supporting the sustainability of regional and farming communities. Its disaster relief program includes the nationally recognised Buy a Bale campaign.

Craig Marsh, Business Development Manager Rural Aid said, “Thanks to the generous donation of Charter Hall and their shoppers, Rural Aid has been able to deliver approximately 800 bales of hay, equating to 27 trailers loads and 50 loads of water, approximately 19,000 litres each drop across 20 farming and rural communities.

Charter Hall shopping centres participating in the ‘Dam Good’ drought relief campaign included:
Bateau Bay Square NSW 12 Bay Village Road, Bateau Bay, NSW 2261
Balo Square, 85 Balo Street, Moree NSW 2400
Campbelltown Mall NSW 271 Queen St, Campbelltown NSW 2560
Carnes Hill Marketplace NSW Cnr Cowpasture & Kurrajong Roads, Horningsea Park NSW 2170
Dubbo Square NSW 177 Macquarie Street Dubbo NSW 2830
Gordon Centre/ Gordon Village NSW 802-808 Pacific Highway Gordon NSW 2072
Goulburn Square NSW 217 Auburn Street Goulburn NSW 2580
Highlands Marketplace NSW 197 Old Hume Highway Mittagong NSW 2575
Lake Macquarie Fair NSW 46 Wilsons Rd, Mount Hutton NSW 2290
Orange Central Square NSW 227 Summer Street, Orange NSW 2800
Pacific Square NSW 737 Anzac Parade Maroubra NSW 2035
Salamander Bay Square NSW 2 Town Centre Circuit, Salamander Bay NSW 231
Singleton Square NSW Cnr John and Gowrie Street Singleton NSW 2330
Tamworth Square NSW 432-452 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340
Allenstown Square QLD 139-145 Derby Street, Allenstown QLD 4700
Arana Hills Plaza QLD Corner Patricks Road & Dawson Parade QLD 4054
Bribie Island Shopping Centre QLD 239-255 Goodwin Dr, Bongaree QLD 4507
Great Western Super Centre QLD 1028 Samford Rd, Keperra, QLD 4054
Highfields Village QLD 66 Highfields Road, Highfields QLD 4352
Lansell Square VIC 267 High Street, Kangaroo Flat VIC 3555

Delivering compelling shopper experiences and driving meaningful community initiatives is important to Charter Hall, as a team, they are proud of the contribution they make to the communities in which they operate.

Charter Hall’s Retail Marketing team were nominated for three awards at the annual Shopping Centre Council of Australia Marketing Awards, and won all three. They were recognised as the winner of Community (75 stores or less), Compelling Campaigns (multi-centre) and Innovation (multi-centre).