Huge support for rural community at inaugural fundraiser

The Rural Support Trust (RST) is $300,000 better off thanks to the generosity of 540 plus attendees at this week’s inaugural Rural Leaders 2025 Dinner, Debate and Auction held in conjunction with the National Fieldays.
Organiser Mike Green said his original idea hatched in a café in Bulls, was to have a cross-industry event that brought everyone together to support our rural communities. The final outcome was simply extraordinary and he can’t thank all those involved enough in particular the 14 event partners: Fieldays, ANZ, ASB, Westpac, BNZ, Gallagher, Ballance, Lion NZ, Property Brokers, PGG Wrightson, FMG, Bettle –Associates, Open Country and J Swap.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and a large contingent of politicians, corporate entities and the agri-ruralbusiness community in force.
Guests quickly became aware of the need for support after viewing RST’s new advocacy video and hearing from South Waikato woman Deanne Parkes’ first-hand experience. Deanne said if it wasn’t for Rural Support her children would be without a mum and her husband would have lost his wife. She said she had been in a very dark place but RST had supported and guided her through her roughest time plus given her tools for going forward.
Talented sculptor Jamie Thomas of JTSculptures, who donated the main auction prize titled “Rock and a Hard Place” which was auctioned for $85,000, said his sculpture was dedicated to his sister and he could never sell it but was happy to donate it to RST knowing how many people they helped.
A fun debate was also held about “The grass is greener in the South Island” with James Meager, Minister for the South Island, leading the affirmative team and Julia Jones, GM Agri-Women's Development Trust, for
the North Island team. Michelle Ruddell, National Rural Support Trust Chair, said she was extremely humbled both by the turn out and support at the dinner and acknowledged the number of people who said they were already looking forward to next year’s event.
The organising committee of Mike Green, Sue Foley, Roger Beaumont, Peter Parussini and Rachel Broadmore said the response was completely overwhelming but are delighted people recognise the great work the Rural Support Trust undertakes around the country. Organisers say they’re keen to ensure the event becomes an annual fixture on the Fieldays calendar and again thank all supporters who had enabled Wednesday night.
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