Borden’s community spirit on display as residents rally to finish final 250ha of Jaxon Peakall’s harvest

In a show of compassion and solidarity, the tight-knit Borden community banded together on Sunday to complete the Peakall family’s harvest after the loss of their son Jaxon in the Mindarabin fire. After being overwhelmed with offers of support following the tragic loss of the 34-year-old farmer on December 16, Darryl Hancock and Mark Castle took up the task of organising the community busy bee and co-ordinating logistics on behalf of the grieving Peakall family. Using eight headers, five chaser bins, two mother bins, eight grain trucks, one semi for seed and three heavy fire trucks, neighbours and friends managed to finish harvesting the Amelup farm’s final 250ha of wheat in just under five hours. More than 70 people lent a hand to the efforts, with friend of the family and Borden community member Rebecca O’Meehan saying there were “many, many” more offers to help from locals and people further afield. She described the harvest effort as “typical of the amazing community spirit” of the area. “The entire community came together to support the Peakall family in honour of Jaxon, who was one of us and dearly loved for his kindness, boundless energy and willingness to help anyone,” she said. Speaking via Ms O’Meehan, the Peakall family said they were “deeply humbled” by the support shown by the Great Southern community in the wake of the tragedy. “The Peakall family said they are extremely grateful to their amazing community and everyone who has reached out with love and support over the past week,” Ms O’Meehan said. “They are deeply humbled by the commitment of those who selflessly donated their valuable time and machinery for Jaxon’s final harvest run, especially with many yet to complete their own harvest.” Jaxon Peakall died in a freak accident last week after a tree fell on to his vehicle while he was helping battle the huge Mindarabin blaze that threatened large parts of the Shire of Gnowangerup.