Bess Hart is mostly known in Katherine for her long tradition of hosting The Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
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But as drought and floods have swept across the nation leaving farmers desperate and struggling, the long-term Katherine resident is doubling her fundraising efforts.
In two weeks, despite Katherine's own water issues, Mrs Hart will be hosting a morning tea on her parched and browning land - just a few kilometres out of town on the way to the Katherine Gorge.
"I have lived on the land for my whole life except for about eight years and I fully sympathise with the farmers and people living on the land who have either been in drought, flooded or burnt out," she said.
"We had a mini drought in 2002 on our station (Hodgson River Station about 320km from Katherine).
"When it finally rained it was cold and drizzly, but in that time 40 cattle couldn't escape from the big muddy puddles, kangaroos were dead under bushes.
"When ever I hear about the drought and the floods it makes me cry."
Bess Hart started the fundraiser for the Cancer Council nine years ago with her husband Ted Hart, a beloved resident at the heart of the NT cattle industry.
With cancer affecting people on both sides of the family, the decision to support the Cancer Council's life-saving research, prevention and support programs was an easy one.
She says the same goes for her new fundraising venture, which echos the sentiments of The Biggest Morning Tea - there will be an auction, billy tea, plenty of cakes and jams and marmalade to purchase.
The longevity of the successful morning teas, which have collectively raised thousands of dollars, is a case of true community spirit, friends and family coming in droves to pitch in year after year.
"No matter what is going on on the land farmers will need help. From buying equipment to sending their kids to school. People are doing it tough and need money," Ms Hart said.
"We have had such a good life with friends and family I want to give back.
"I go round to businesses and each year they hand things over without any hesitation.
"Even the people who come out for a cup of tea are extra generous, it is just a gold coin donation but we always find $20 or $50 notes.
"Katherine is a centre for stations and there are many businesses which rely on that. So if stations and farms go out, so does the town and the businesses."
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