Harvest Mass Management Scheme helps support St John WA

Western Australian grain growers have again demonstrated their commitment to regional communities, donating a record-breaking $575,000 to WA charities through the Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS).

This contribution, which was generated from 1385 tonnes of grain voluntarily forfeited by WA growers during the 2024/25 CBH harvest, marks the largest HMMS donation since the program began in 2012, and led to a $60,000 donation to St John WA.

The HMMS, a collaborative effort between CBH and Main Roads WA, aims to mitigate the incidence of overloaded grain trucks during harvest season. Growers are given the option to forfeit grain from overloaded trucks, which is then sold, and the resulting proceeds directed to WA charities nominated by growers and employees. 

Since it began, the HMMS has donated more than $3.6 million to WA charities.

CBH Chair Simon Stead said the scheme reflects the grain industry’s broader commitment to building strong, resilient communities while promoting safe harvest practices.

“The HMMS program is a practical initiative that not only improves safety during harvest but also delivers meaningful, lasting support to the people who make our grain-growing regions thrive,” Mr Stead said.

St John WA Social Sustainability Manager Angel Robins said HMMS funds will be used to help maintain and grow a strong Community First responder and State Defibrillator Network in the grain growing region.

“To date HMMS donations have enabled St John WA to install 222 automated external defibrillators across grain-growing communities and funds from this year will be used to install a further 20 more and provide funding to ensure the defib network in the Wheatbelt region is maintained and accessible to the community,” she said.

“St John WA is so grateful for the generosity of the community.”

Learn more about the Community First Responder network HERE.