OMEN
11-18-2007, 03:47 PM
SINGER Shannon Noll and his family have been forced to leave the land because of the drought.
The former Australian Idol star comes from five generations of farmers who spent more than 100 years on the land.
But the drought crisis has forced Noll and his brothers, Damian and Adam, to sell the family farm at Condobolin, NSW.
"I was trying to hold on to show that we were still in it," Damian Noll says.
"But in hindsight, it's what might have tipped the scales on me.
"We're spending money to keep going, but not making it back. I'm not walking from the land, I'm jumping."
Damian said their decision to quit was heartbreaking.
"It's a heavy burden to know that, after five generations, you are the generation that let it slip," he said.
Adam revealed he instigated, in an emotional showdown with his brothers and their mother Sharon, plans to sell the farm.
"It was the most difficult decision three sons have ever had to make," he said.
He said their father, Neil, who died in a farming accident six years ago, hid the financial strain from his family.
But Shannon, Adam and Damian knew the reality - drought, fuel costs and machinery debt.
Shannon lives in Sydney with his wife, Rochelle Ogsten, and their three young children.
Family men Adam and Damian live in Condobolin and are now focused on a music career as The Noll Brothers.
The brothers have each lost three friends to drought-related suicide recently.
"The subject gets brushed a bit because it's so emotional," Adam says.
"It's an easy option that is a crushing blow for all those left behind.
"You are leaving people who love you to try and patch up tragedy."
The Noll brothers want to use music to give back to people struggling on the land.
Their album is due in January.
And they are planning a benefit show, headlined by their famous brother, at Condobolin during Anzac Day weekend.
"Music has given us another chance at survival," Damian says. "This is a new life."
Showbuzz
The former Australian Idol star comes from five generations of farmers who spent more than 100 years on the land.
But the drought crisis has forced Noll and his brothers, Damian and Adam, to sell the family farm at Condobolin, NSW.
"I was trying to hold on to show that we were still in it," Damian Noll says.
"But in hindsight, it's what might have tipped the scales on me.
"We're spending money to keep going, but not making it back. I'm not walking from the land, I'm jumping."
Damian said their decision to quit was heartbreaking.
"It's a heavy burden to know that, after five generations, you are the generation that let it slip," he said.
Adam revealed he instigated, in an emotional showdown with his brothers and their mother Sharon, plans to sell the farm.
"It was the most difficult decision three sons have ever had to make," he said.
He said their father, Neil, who died in a farming accident six years ago, hid the financial strain from his family.
But Shannon, Adam and Damian knew the reality - drought, fuel costs and machinery debt.
Shannon lives in Sydney with his wife, Rochelle Ogsten, and their three young children.
Family men Adam and Damian live in Condobolin and are now focused on a music career as The Noll Brothers.
The brothers have each lost three friends to drought-related suicide recently.
"The subject gets brushed a bit because it's so emotional," Adam says.
"It's an easy option that is a crushing blow for all those left behind.
"You are leaving people who love you to try and patch up tragedy."
The Noll brothers want to use music to give back to people struggling on the land.
Their album is due in January.
And they are planning a benefit show, headlined by their famous brother, at Condobolin during Anzac Day weekend.
"Music has given us another chance at survival," Damian says. "This is a new life."
Showbuzz