Seeing the ‘Brekkie in a Bag’ impact firsthand

Hailing from Dalby, Queensland, Brian and Nerida Egan founded Aussie Helpers on 21 May 2002 with the simple idea that if there were farmers in need, Aussie Helpers would be there to help.

The grand sum of $20 was used to purchase goods for a raffle in a local county pub and that made enough money to make up several more raffles which eventuated into regular Friday night pub raffles.

As drought conditions worsened across Queensland, Aussie Helpers expanded its support for farmers. We delivered food hampers, livestock feed, and essential supplies to families in crisis.

Through word of mouth — the famed bush telegraph — Brian and Nerida connected with isolated families who were reluctant to ask for help but desperate for support. By the mid-2000s, hundreds of families had been assisted, establishing the charity’s hands-on, boots-on-the-ground ethos.

Country music star Lee Kernaghan publicly supported Aussie Helpers, performing at charity events and helping raise funds for drought relief.

Lee’s support helped bring national attention to the struggles many farming families were facing during prolonged drought. Through charity concerts, fundraising events and public appearances, he encouraged Australians from all walks of life to stand behind rural communities doing it tough. His involvement helped raise vital funds for drought relief, but just as importantly, it reminded farmers that the rest of the country was thinking of them and willing to lend a hand when times were hardest.

Brian and Nerida shared their story on Australian Story (“Down to Earth”), bringing national attention to drought and the struggles faced by rural and farming communities across Australia.

Brian’s tireless leadership and service to drought-affected families was recognised with this prestigious award — a very proud moment for for all of us here at Aussie Helpers and the communities we support.

Aussie Helpers expanded beyond drought support, responding to the devastating Victorian bushfires and helping farming families in crisis. This marked the start of the charity’s broader disaster response work, demonstrating that wherever rural communities face hardship — drought, fire, or flood — Aussie Helpers would be there to provide practical, hands-on support.

From 2010 to 2018, Aussie Helpers provided support to communities affected by floods, droughts, and bushfires across multiple states:

2010
Flood support in Queensland and launch of the No Farmers, No Food advocacy campaign.

2011
Flood and bushfire support in Queensland.

2012
Flood support for Queensland and New South Wales, assistance for dairy farmers, and establishment of a Free Community Bus for Oakey and a Children’s Fund.

2013
Drought and flood relief for Queensland, alongside the launch of the Buy a Bale campaign.

2015
Drought support continues in Queensland.

2018
Bushfire support in Victoria, along with partnerships to provide mental health support for rural communities.

This period illustrates our commitment to hands-on, rapid disaster relief, helping thousands of farming families recover and rebuild their livelihoods.

Brian and Nerida stepped down from day-to-day leadership, and their daughter Natasha (Tash) Kocks was appointed CEO. Under Tash’s leadership, Aussie Helpers has continued to grow while maintaining the founders’ hands-on approach. By 2019, we had provided more than $24 million in aid to over 13,000 farming families since 2002.

Aussie Helpers was invited to Government House, recognising the charity’s growing national impact and service to rural communities. The invitation acknowledged the dedication of Brian and Nerida Egan and the many volunteers and supporters who helped deliver practical assistance to farming families during some of the toughest drought years.

Entrepreneur Dick Smith donated $1 million to support farming families in crisis — one of the largest single contributions in our history. His extraordinary generosity helped Aussie Helpers expand vital support, delivering food hampers, essential supplies, and practical assistance to farming families facing drought, financial stress, and the everyday challenges of life on the land.

Sadly Brian passed away in January 2020, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Together with his wife Nerida, he devoted nearly two decades to supporting farmers and their families through some of the toughest times imaginable—drought, financial hardship, isolation and personal crisis.

In recognition of their extraordinary service, Brian and Nerida were both awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia(OAM) in 2020 for their dedication to farming families and rural communities. Brian learned of the honour shortly before his passing, a fitting acknowledgement of a life spent helping others.

Aussie Helpers provided vital support to Queensland communities affected by Cyclone Debbie, delivering essential supplies and practical assistance when it was needed most. As families faced damage to homes, farms and livelihoods, we worked alongside local communities to help them recover, rebuild and move forward after the disaster.

During major flooding in Murwillumbah, NSW, we delivered hay, hygiene hampers, fuel cards, and financial assistance to dozens of farming families. In just five days, 48 farmers received essential support, and over $380,000 in urgent supplier invoices were paid to keep farms operational.

We continue to support farming families across Australia, providing:

Our mission remains the same: wherever rural Australians need help, Aussie Helpers is there — ready to provide hands-on support, advocacy, and hope.

In 2023, we launched Brekkie in a Bag, providing breakfast packs to children in rural and farming communities. The program began in partnership with Sanitarium, recognising that families were struggling to feed their children due to rising cost-of-living pressures. Hundreds of breakfasts were delivered through schools in its early terms.

In 2024, we expanded Brekkie in a Bag and other community wellbeing initiatives, raising funds for Mental Health First Aid training.

In 2024, Tash was recognised as a Queensland finalist in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, acknowledging her leadership and the impact of her work supporting rural communities through Aussie Helpers. She also continued her advocacy, contributing to key discussions including an invitation to a roundtable with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Nominate Aussie Helpers as a charity within your workplace giving program and help support farmers and rural families doing it tough. Workplace giving allows employees to make regular donations directly from their pre-tax pay, creating a simple way for businesses and their teams to make a real difference.

We are registered with several workplace giving platforms including Benevity, Good2Give and GoodCompany.

When you decide to create a will or update an existing one, you may wish to leave a gift to Aussie Helpers to support farmers and rural families into the future. We suggest the following wording be included:
“I give the sum of $(Donation Value) to Aussie Helpers ABN 29 126 111 582 for its general purposes.”

If you would like to leave specific items or a portion of your estate, or you have any questions please call us on 1300 665 232 or email admin@aussiehelpers.org.au so we can provide initial guidance and be aware of your wishes.

Purchased and maintained by Aussie Helpers, the Oakey Bus is made possible through the dedication of our wonderful volunteer drivers who generously give their time to support local farmers and their families.

Passengers often contribute a small gold coin donation for their trip, and with the support of our volunteers, donors and local communities, the Oakey Bus is just one of the ways Aussie Helpers is making a real difference for Australian farming families.