#BuyFromTheBush recognised with Australia Day address

#BuyFromTheBush founder Grace Brennan leads Australia Day celebrations, delivering the NSW Australia Day address.

Having seen first-hand the affects that the current drought has had on Australian farmers and rural communities, Grace Brennan, a farmer from Warren NSW, created an Instagram account from her kitchen table.

The account, #BuyFromTheBush, has gone on to have a tremendous impact on rural communities, especially over the Christmas period with the page boosting sales of local businesses.

The #BuyFromTheBush initiative started on social media in October last year with the intention of spreading the word about beautiful boutiques and wares from small bush communities.

When AustralianFarmers first reported on the page, it had just reached over 50,000 followers. That number now stands at over 210,000.

The growth of the original page allowed Grace to create a second page, #StayInTheBush which promotes accommodation in rural communities.

Speaking at the 2020 Australia Day Address in Sydney, Grace stressed the importance of finding the “inspiring in the ordinary” and that the stereotypes surrounding rural Australia needed to change.

“Rural communities are a treasure worth protecting,” Ms Brennan said.

“Not for their contribution to GDP but for something much greater; their contribution to Australian identity and the Australian story.

“Buy From The Bush is less about crisis relief and more about sustainable support for rural communities in the long term.

“At a time when much is made of the divide between city and country, between the left and the right, between big business and small business, the strength of a united community, albeit an online community, has achieved real change.

“It has opened up conversations, it has lifted spirits, it has created jobs and it has undoubtedly saved businesses.”

Speaking at the event NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Grace Brennan had demonstrated the power of everyday Australians.

“She is such an amazing Australian, making a difference, and demonstrating that any of us can be the drivers of positive change,” Ms Berejiklian said.

See Grace’s full Australia Day address in the video below.