In the latest episode of the Tone Countrycast, Fanny Lumsden (pictured) reminds us that the impact of the drought hasn’t gone away just yet.
But many ongoing drought victims are feeling forgotten, with attention across the nation shifting to the victims of the horrendous summer fires across eastern Australia.
Lumsden described their situation as essentially a “slow fire” that doesn’t have the same dramatic visual impact across media outlets which makes it more difficult to obtain ongoing focus on the issue.
While recent rain has helped some communities to a certain degree, the situation many are still faced with seems to have become lost in recent conversations and campaigns for ongoing assistance.
Drought victims are saying, “we can’t feed our stock either and it’s pretty much like a fire has gone through this place as well because there is nothing here,” Lumsden says during the podcast.
It’s created a disconnect that is “causing angst” in some rural communities.
Lumsden lives with her husband and baby boy on a beautiful property in her beloved community of Tooma, which was smack bang in the middle of what is known as the ‘Megafire’.- about a five hour drive from either Sydney or Melbourne.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of metal, rock, indie, pop, and everything else in between.
She talks extensively about her experience over the Christmas period (and since) on the latest episode of the Tone Countrycast.
You can listen to this latest episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, Deezer, Google Podcasts and more.
Check out our episode with Fanny Lumsden on the Tone Countrycast
Meanwhile, Lumsden also has a new album coming out on March 13, titled Fallow.
She’ll release the album while raising much-needed funds for the community of Tooma, on March 14.
Lumsden, her band and crew are donating their time, and all event proceeds will go to the Tooma Community Bushfire Recovery Fund, raising money to help with the recovery process, which will include rebuilding fences and sheds, sourcing feed for pets and stock, mental health resources and more.
The album’s latest single ‘This Too Shall Pass’ addresses the issues currently faced in her local community and other communities across Australia.
“I think is perfectly timed, a reminder that the land will renerate and it won’t be long before it’s green and lush again,” says Lumsden.
“As the album is about the area and heavily inspired by the valley, it seems remiss of me not to talk about it,” she continues.
Tickets to the Fanny Lumsden Tooma Bushfire recovery fundraiser are on sale now.
Check out the Fallow album trailer from Fanny Lumsden
