With 100 per cent of the state impacted by drought, and no rain in sight for months, farmers have been doing it tough.

Bathurst RSL Club has kicked-off its Buy a Bale initiative by donating $10,000 which will go straight to Bathurst region farmers for the purchase of feed, fuel, water and groceries.

Club president Ian Miller said the donation was made with the direction that the funds had to help local farmers.

“It has to go to the region, it’s the Bathurst community that supports the club, so it’s the Bathurst community we want to support,” he said.

Mr Miller said Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale initiative was the obvious choice for the club’s donation.

“They’re the experts who know where to give and distribute,” he said.

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RSL general manager Peter Sargent said the club had also opened up an opportunity for members and non-members to donate.

The community is able to purchase a sticker for $20 to place onto a Buy A Bale poster in the club’s foyer, all funds raised will then be passed onto Rural Aid.

Final plans are also being put in place to run a month-long campaign in the club next month so that members’ purchases raise further funds for Rural Aid.

Meanwhile, nominations remain open for the community to name a deserving drought-affected farmer to score a double pass to the Black Tie and Boots Ball on Saturday August 11.

Nominations remain open until 11.59pm on August 5 at www.westernadvocate.com.au.

NOMINATIONS for drought-affected farmers to score a night out on the town have been flooding in to the Western Advocate.

Currently, 100 per cent of the state is impacted by drought and the lack of rain has led to crippling conditions for many primary producers.

Rural Aid ambassadors Grant and Chezzi Denyer, along with Macquarie Medi Spa and Hynash, have donated 11 double passes to the Black Tie and Boots Ball in Bathurst on Saturday, August 11.

The community is encouraged to nominate a Central West farmer who is doing it tough and would love a great night out at the ball.

Grant Denyer will MC at the event and Guy Sebastian will sing.

If you know a deserving farmer, who will be free on the night to attend, make a nomination using the form below.