ALL’S well that ends well, according to Wodonga farmer Graeme Sutherland after emergency services and Border farmers spent seven hours saving up to $30,000 worth of his stubborn livestock from the rising Murray River yesterday.
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Two sheep and 29 of Mr Sutherland’s cows slept safely in the Douglas Earthmoving quarry last night but not before attempting a death-defying swim and after plans were hatched to shut down part of the Lincoln Causeway.
The drama started yesterday morning when Mr Sutherland noticed his livestock trapped on a small section of land, opposite Diamond Park, which was slowly disappearing under rising water.
Wodonga police, two boats of SES crews and nearby farmers rushed to the paddock.
The plan was simple: the SES and farmers would boat and swim out to the livestock, coax the animals into swimming across a small section of water and then walk them to safety via the Lincoln Causeway.
But it took helpers more than an hour to herd the cattle towards the water and the entire plan went pear-shaped when, finally swimming, the cows and calves suddenly veered north and back to their island.
No form of persuasion could lure the livestock back into the water and the animals eventually bolted towards a neighbouring property.
“We thought they were going to be safe there but the owner of the property said his land was about to go under so we had to start all over again,” Mr Sutherland’s daughter, Andrea, said.
With the cows becoming fractious and the calves becoming stressed, more reinforcements were called on.
Two trucks attended the scene with intentions to transport the cattle near the Gypsy Gardens entrance at Wright Road and police told surrounding units to expect short delays on the causeway.
But the delays were averted when the livestock made their way to the quarry and the owners gave the green light to leave the livestock there overnight.
“We’ve managed to save every head but it probably wasn’t going to be the case without the generosity of Douglas Earthmoving,” Mr Sutherland said last night.
“The cows were exhausted and the calves were a major concern ... it would have been hard to see them all making it back alive if they had to swim.
“The police, SES and everyone else who helped were magnificent, you couldn’t ask for better help.”
Mr Sutherland will spend this weekend searching for a short-term paddock for his livestock.
“When the water washes away the grass will be rotted,” Mr Sutherland said.
