HELPERS: Richard and Louise Lenihan are the organisers of the project.

By Sean Moriarty

Two Killarney people are behind an aid project in Australia that will help farmers in Queensland whose lives and livelihoods are at risk as a result of a severe drought in their area.

On Wednesday, Australia recorded its hottest day and temperatures are expected to soar even higher as heatwave conditions embrace most of the country.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said the average temperature across the country of 40.9C on Tuesday beat the record of 40.3C from January 7, 2013.

As a result of drought conditions farmers near the town of Stanthorpe, about three hours southwest of Brisbane, are living on 80 litres of water a day, some are not showering just to give their cattle a drink of water.

[caption id="attachment_29485" align="alignleft" width="225"] DROUGHT HEROS: Richard Lenihan (Gneeveguilla) and his friend Kieran O'Brien (Mayo) are the organisers of the project.[/caption]

A group of Irish ex-pats, now living in Brisbane, including husband and wife Richard (Gneeveguilla) and Louise Lenihan (nee O’Donoghue, Ballycasheen), and their friend Kieran O’Brien from Mayo, have organised 70 Irish owned trucks to deliver much needed supplies to the affected region.

They will set off tomorrow (Saturday) and will deliver over $110,000 Australian Dollars-worth of feed and water to the farmers. Santa will also be on hand to help the volunteers and there is even a supply of Tayto in the consignment.

“We are bringing in excess of 150,000 litres of drinking water and 300,000 litres of stock water and at least 40 tonne of animal stock feed,” Louise told the Killarney Advertiser. “Drinking water and animal stock feed alone is worth over $110,000 Australian Dollars. That’s not including stock and potable water which at this stage we cannot keep count. The support has been absolutely amazing. This supply will bring so much relief to the farmers this Christmas. Afterwards the convoy are going to celebrate with a get together at O’Meara’s bar in the centre of town as we have the whole venue booked out.”