It’s the kind of story that makes you shake your head and wonder if common sense has left the building.
In the heart of Victoria’s parched southwest, a local farmer has been slapped with a $398 fine for doing what most of us would call ‘being a good neighbour’.
Graham Thomson, a hay contractor from Condah, was simply moving two bales of hay across a road to help out a drought-stricken mate.
Instead of a thank you, he got flashing lights and a hefty penalty from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Let’s set the scene: Graham, a man with half a century of farming under his belt, checked the coast was clear before trundling his tractor 600 metres down the road, crossing the Henty Highway with hay perched on his front-end loader.
No traffic, no drama—until the NHVR officer pulled him over. The reason? He was told it’s illegal to carry anything on a front-end loader on a public road, and, to add insult to injury, he was fined for ‘not restraining’ the hay.
‘I’m meant to have a load binder over them. I’ve been farming for about 50 years and I didn’t know that,’ Graham told Sheep Central.
The officer suggested he should have used a truck instead. ‘One minute he says I can’t carry anything on the road and then he books me for carrying something on it that’s not restrained. So that didn’t make sense to me.’
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The incident happened on the same day as a mental health event for farmers at the local pub—a stark reminder of the pressures rural Australians face.
Another local, Andy Satchell, took to Facebook to vent his frustration, sharing a video of a hay bale on Graham’s tractor (not from the actual incident, but you get the idea).
‘To say Thommo was upset would be an understatement,’ Andy wrote. ‘Surely farmers have a right to keep their livestock fed.’
The post struck a nerve. Thousands of Australians have since shared their outrage, calling the fine ‘ridiculous’ and ‘out of touch.’
As Graham pointed out, ‘Every farmer is breaking the law as soon as they put a round roll or a square bale on those forks to go across a road. The fine was worth more than the value of the hay.’
A GoFundMe page, an online fundraising platform, has been set up to help Graham contest the fine in court. The fundraiser’s message is clear: after 60+ years in the industry, helping a neighbour shouldn’t be a punishable offence.
Any excess funds will go to the National Centre for Farmer Health, supporting mental health initiatives for those who keep our food chain running.
The NHVR, for its part, says road safety is its top priority. ‘On 8 June, SCOs intercepted a tractor carrying two double stacked large hay bales on the Henty Highway in Condah, with one of the bales not restrained,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The SCOs applied both an engagement and enforcement method, by providing education to the driver on his registration conditions in regard to carrying a load on the highway, and the driver was also issued a minor load restraint infringement for the unrestrained bale.’
While the NHVR says it prefers to ‘inform and educate’, it won’t hesitate to enforce the rules when safety is at stake.
According to the Heavy Vehicle National Law, Graham received the minimum fine for breaching loading requirements. The maximum penalty? A staggering $13,310.
The bigger picture: Rules, risks, and rural realities
This story isn’t just about one farmer and a couple of hay bales. It’s about the clash between regulations designed for safety and the day-to-day realities of rural life.
Farmers are the backbone of our country, often working in tough conditions to keep livestock fed and crops growing. When drought hits, neighbours help neighbours—it’s the Australian way.
But as rules tighten and enforcement ramps up, many in the bush feel like they’re being punished for doing what’s necessary to survive.
The mental health toll is real, with stress, isolation, and financial pressure mounting. Events like the one at the Condah Hotel are vital, but so is a bit of understanding from those who make and enforce the rules.
What’s the solution?
No one’s arguing that road safety isn’t important. Unsecured loads can be dangerous, and everyone deserves to get home safely.
But is there room for a bit more flexibility, especially for small-scale farmers just trying to help out? Could there be clearer guidelines, or perhaps exemptions for short, low-traffic journeys like Graham’s?
Some have called for better education, so farmers know exactly what’s required. Others want to see the rules reviewed, to make sure they’re fit for purpose and don’t penalise common-sense acts of kindness.
Your turn: Have your say
Have you or someone you know been caught out by a rule that seemed to defy common sense? Do you think the law should be more flexible for farmers, or is safety always the top priority? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share your stories and opinions in the comments below.
And if you’re feeling the pressure of rural life, remember: you’re not alone. Reach out to your community, and don’t hesitate to seek support if you need it. After all, looking after each other is what being Australian is all about.
Also read: One photo was all it took as tradie fined $30,000 for illegal dumping
Overzealous officialdom at work again, surely a simple “hey mate, you can’t do that again” warning would have sufficed?
Yes, a kind warning would have been the correct choice made. But no, you are going to cop a fine for being kind to your mate’s animals.
“I didn’t know that” doesn’t impress me.
This is what happens when people keep electing leftist governments who only have experience working for unions.
Maybe when all the farmers are gone, they can buy food from third world countries with third world standards and extra importing costs.