Agribusiness leaders attend Rural Aid Long Lunch
| Supporters of Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, have made the organisation’s inaugural Long Lunch event a resounding success. Held in Brisbane last Friday, the Rural Aid Long Lunch was attended by some of the biggest names in the agribusiness and farming industries. The April 8 Long Lunch included a charity auction, performance by Lee Kernaghan, and guest speaker appearances from Laura Geitz, Shane Webcke and Tony Gollan. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was humbling to see the extraordinary generosity on display. “I’ve been overwhelmed to witness the passion that local businesses, both big and small, have for our growers and graziers,” Mr Warlters said. “The funds raised today will make a real difference to our farmer’s lives as they continue their drought, flood and bushfire recovery.” “Our ongoing priority is to ensure Rural Aid can fund the placement of more counsellors into more communities to support more farming families,” Mr Warlters finished. Rural Aid’s expanding mental health program was the focus of the lunch. Guests heard from Rural Aid counsellors about the importance of Rural Aid’s complimentary ‘farm-gate’ counselling program. “Rural Aid’s counselling service is so vital,” Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lauren Stracey, said. “Our farmers have bravely fought through disaster after disaster, but many are now feeling totally numb or completely swamped. “We offer free, confidential counselling to our farmers wherever they are most comfortable. We travel hundreds of kilometres to chat to farmers at their kitchen table or over the back fence. This culturally-appropriate, flexible service is so important to ensure our farmers are not slipping through the cracks,” Ms Stracey explained. Rural Aid now employs 16 counsellors, based in rural and regional towns across Australia and is looking to grow this number with support from the Australian public. LINK to photo gallery can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tnlsrq8qgoxfqoh/AACUfqlX1Vp74xdxLehQJMqLa?dl=0 For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757. About Rural Aid Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au |