ON the dusty red soil of the Millewa, farmers continue to battle a crippling drought that many have called the worst in living memory.

But the tough times have not stopped a number of Millewa residents assisting bushfire-ravaged communities across Victoria and NSW.

Among those to lend a helping hand was Meringur wheat and legume farmer Graeme Ruchel, who has volunteered with the Meringur Fire Br...