"We managed to fill our quota for the three towns in 48 hours," she said. The idea took off and expanded to 1,200 hampers being shared across 22 towns from Merriwa, west of Muswellbrook, to Tooraweenah, north of Dubbo. A trailer is loaded up with hampers before hitting the road. Credit:Patrick George The convoy departed from Warnervale on the NSW Central Coast at 6.30am on Saturday where 900 families and community groups have come together to support their rural counterparts. On Saturday afternoon Ms Turner spoke to the Herald after spending a couple of hours in Mendooran, a small town 75 kilometres from Dubbo. The population is a shade under 600 people, but it felt like the entire town was there to greet the convoy.

"A lot of people came out to meet us, some were in tears," she said. Loading Amongst all the interactions, she said that one exchange with a woman outlining the cost of food and water on her farm really stood out. "Everyone just couldn't believe the amounts [of money]. It was important information that people need to know." She said it wasn't just the gifts that were welcomed, but the personal touch as well.

"You get to know a complete stranger, I think people really appreciate that. A lot of these towns are really off the line of sight." The group's Facebook page was filled with footage from across the state on Saturday, as volunteers handed out the precious cargo and stopped to mingle and take photographs and videos with locals. Ready to go: The group have sent hampers to drought-affected families around the state. Credit:Patrick George Diane Menzies is the Fundraising Coordinator for the Gosford/Kariong Rugby League club which has 300 members. The club rallied together to support two families, supplying one with nine boxes and a large Santa sack and the other with 11 boxes filled with toys, pantry items, dog food and gifts.