The Marlo Hotel raised more than $15,000 for struggling farmers in the community by holding a raffle and auction on Saturday, September 8.

The local community had donated a variety of goods to be auctioned on the night, including a garage by Steeline Gippsland.

In partnership with Sailors Grave Brewing, the hotel was swarming with supporters for the standing-room-only night, hotel owner, Russell Bates, saying support from the region had been “significant”.

“We’d like to thank all the sponsors, big and small, for making it such a great event,” Mr Bates said.

In addressing the large crowd, East Gippsland Shire councillor, Mark Reeves, said it was at a grassroots, or pub level, where the community comes together to make these things happen.

“This is where the money that is raised locally goes back into our community,” he said.

“The dollar that you put in tonight goes straight back to help those farmers and the local community benefits.

“When times are tough like this, we need people to shop locally, resist the temptation to click and buy. It’s so important. That’s the stuff that will keep us going and keep us together here.”

With farmers of the region currently dealing with green drought conditions that are misunderstood by those who expect droughts to mean brown paddocks, the monies will be split between Gippsland Farm Relief and the Orbost initiated ‘Stand by your Farmer’ funds who will distribute to those in need.

PICTURED: Orbost Tyre Centre’s Karen Fecondo and Tracey Wait were among the many people at at Marlo Hotel last Saturday night as more than $15,000 dollars raised to support local farmers as they struggle to work through the green drought.