Condah farmer Graham Thomson was fine $398 for carting two bales on his tractor across a road.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help Victorian farmer Graham ‘Thommo’ Thomson fight a $398 fine for transporting hay on his tractor across the Henty Highway and along a side road south of Hamilton.

And state and federal politicians have also weighed into the issue, with Mt Thomson being contacted by the office of Liberal member for the federal seat of Wannon Dan Tehan and by South-West Coast MP Roma Britnell.

The Condah farmer and hay contractor was fined almost $400 by a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator officer for carrying two bales of hay on his tractor forks across a road to feed a neighbour’s sheep last Sunday.

Mr Thomson has described the NHVR action as “very heavy handed” and told Sheep Central it meant farmers across the state have been acting illegally by transporting hay on tractors across roads to livestock during the drought.

The fine came on the same day as a mental health day for farmers at the local Condah Hotel.

Mr Thomson said he was taking two bales of hay on his tractor about 600 metres down Fleece Road and after checking there were no vehicles in sight, across the Henty Highway, before being stopped with flashing lights and a siren by an NHVR officer.

A Facebook post by fellow Condah farmer Andy Satchell about the incident has gone viral with almost 500,000 views, 696 shares and 166 comments up to noon today. The GoFundMe campaign, with a goal of raising $1000, had received $280 in donations after just a few hours.

The instigator of the GoFundMe campaign Tim Ford said Thommo didn’t expect the attention his story would receive, but wants to use it to make a positive impact on the industry he’s worked in his entire life.

Mr Ford said he started the GoFundMe page on Thommo’s behalf to raise funds for his court case and to support a mental health initiative for farmers doing it tough.

“Thommo is choosing to contest the fine in court because he believes that, after 60-plus years in the industry, helping a neighbour feed their livestock shouldn’t be penalised.

“This fundraiser has been established to help him in that effort, both to cover the legal costs and help in making the voices of farmers heard.”

Mr Thomson said he didn’t really want the GoFundMe campaign, but told Mr Ford that due to farmers experiencing environmental factors, such as drought and floods, he would like any excess funds to go to farmer mental health, “as we need to keep the food chain going.” Any funds remaining after court costs will be donated to www.farmerhealth.org.au

Mr Thomson told Sheep Central Ms Britnell has already contacted the NHVR about his case and he was also contacted by Mr Tehan’s office – “he’s taking it to Canberra.”

“Australian farmers work year-round through everything from mouse plagues to floods and droughts – sometimes all in the same year,” Mr Ford wrote in his GoFundMe spiel.

“They’re resilient, but the pressure is constant.

“If you’d like to back Thommo in taking a stand and support the mental well-being of farmers, your contribution is greatly appreciated.”

Mr Tehan told Sheep Central “it absolutely beggars belief that someone would be fined for delivering feed to sheep during a drought.”

“Surely the focus should be on helping and supporting our farmers at this time, not making their lives even harder.

“You would think that the focus for all those regulating our roads would on improving their safety, rather than penalising a farmer trying to look after his animals.”

Ms Britnell has declined to comment on the matter as it is going to court.