This weekend, farmers will be treated to a rare reprieve from the struggles of one of our nation’s worst droughts.

On Sunday, September 2 the Mudgee Race Club is inviting all farmers and their families, free of charge, to their big race day.

“We know everyone has been really digging deep for the farmers and that’s terrific,” Channel Nine’s former sports broadcaster, Ken Sutcliffe, tells Ray Hadley.

“But we thought we’d try and do something just marginally different.

“We want to get them out of the dusty paddocks… we’ve got a marquee set up… they’ll be wined and dined all afternoon.

“They can mix with one another and swap a few stories.”

There will also be a pamper corner for the ladies, with facials and hair styling, and also entertainment and jumping castles for kids.

“The women are the real heroes of what is going on out there right now, they’re holding the fort together.

“It is just our way of saying,  listen, we’re all in this together. When you bleed, we bleed,” says Ken.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview