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Australian Turf Club has visited communities on the NSW South Coast hit by the recent bushfires to provide hay for horses and livestock, and funding for fencing, in a number of local communities.

Funds raised from the Racing for the Bushfire campaign and special race meeting at Royal Randwick on 25 January have already been directed to some of those areas most in need.

A total of $150,000 has been raised through the Australian Turf Club, Racing NSW, raceday partners, individual donors and on-course donations. More than 1,700 hay bales will be sent across South Coast communities.

The first areas to receive assistance from today include:

• Emergency hay drop for the Cobargo District servicing Bega, Narooma, Dalmeny, Dignams Creek, Tilba, Coolagolite and surrounding areas.
• An emergency hay drop for the Moruya District servicing Eurobodalla, Bodalla, Potato Point, Bumbo and surrounding areas.
• More than $10,000 to BlazeAid to rebuild fallen fences in fire affected areas, sourcing fencing material through local businesses.

Further funds through the Australian Turf Club Foundation will be announced in the coming weeks, including for communities in the North, Central and Western NSW areas also affected by bushfires.

The distribution of funds from the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal comes in addition to the $500,000 being distributed by Racing NSW to NSW thoroughbred racing participants and employees directly impacted by bushfires.

Moruya Jockey Club General Manager, Brian Cowden, BlazeAid Cobargo Coordinator, Dean Brunton, and Transport Minister and Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, attended an announcement.

Australian Turf Club partners and raceday partners who supported the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal were: Lion, City Tatts, TABCORP and Sky Racing, Inglis, PFD Food Services, The Coopers Hotel Newtown, Mark Alati Bookmakers and Edney Ryan Group.

100 per cent of funds raised from the appeal through the ATC Foundation will be sent to bushfire affected communities and livestock.

Australian Turf Club Foundation Chairman, Phil Morley, said: “We are delighted that funds so generously given by our Members, customers and partners is in just three weeks already on its way to help people in and around the racing community on the South Coast.

“The NSW South Coast was one of the hardest hit regions and these funds will help not only trainers, their horses and livestock but also provide some much needed economic activity into these towns. The ATC Foundation will continue to help not only the NSW South Coast but many other areas across the State in coming weeks.”

MJC's Brian Cowden said: “Moruya Jockey Club is honoured to be part of this generous initiative of the Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW. The fires and then flooding rains have caused the loss of vast areas of pasture and kilometres of fencing, and this support will be greatly appreciated by the recipients.

“The Club is working with a range of local organisations such as the RSPCA, Local Land Services and Rotary to ensure the hay gets to those who need most need it.”

BlazeAid Cobargo Coordinator Dean Brunton said: “BlazeAid Cobargo is pleased to accept this generous donation from the ATC as we are 100 per cent reliant of donations to help get fire-affected communities back on their feet. With costs as high at $35,000 for 10km of fencing every donation goes a long way.”