No End in Sight: Rural Aid Ramps Up Support as South Australian Drought Persists

Posted on 11 August 202511 August 2025

Recent rainfall across parts of South Australia has offered some welcome relief to farming communities, but the drought’s grip is far from broken. With recovery expected to take months — if not years — Rural Aid continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with those doing it tough, providing essential support through this prolonged crisis.

While the recent showers have delivered some temporary relief, they have not been enough to reverse the deep, long-term damage caused by prolonged drought conditions. Rural Aid remains a constant presence on the ground, continuing to provide hay, water, financial aid and mental health support to those who need it most.
 
In the past 12 months alone, Rural Aid has delivered into South Australia.

• More than 6,000 bales of hay provided to nearly 450 farmers
• Over 3.5 million litres of drinking water
• Financial assistance to more than 240 farmers
• 1,088 volunteer hours to support 8 farms in Eudunda
• Community development support for William Creek

The drought has also extended into Southwest New South Wales and Western Victoria, and Rural Aid has expanded its support accordingly, ensuring help reaches farming families across a widening crisis zone.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the scale of the need is sobering, and that the charity’s long-term commitment to farmers is what sets it apart.
 
“This isn’t just about responding to a disaster and moving on. Rural Aid is in it for the long haul,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“We’re showing up month after month with practical help — hay, water, tanks, financial assistance — but just as importantly, we’re showing up with heart. We know these communities, and we go back again and again to make sure farmers aren’t doing it alone.”
 
Based in Quorn, Rural Aid’s South Australian counsellor Dorothy Crosby has been travelling the state providing vital mental health support to families under pressure.
 
“The farmers I speak to are tired. Not just physically, but emotionally. They’re trying to keep businesses going, families supported, and the land alive, all without the rain they desperately need,” Ms Crosby said.
 
“What really makes a difference is having someone who listens, understands the challenges farmers face, and offers ongoing support. Rural Aid is committed to standing alongside them through the toughest times.”
 
Rural Aid’s counselling services are free and confidential, provided by qualified professionals who understand the unique pressures of farming life. The charity’s ongoing presence in rural communities, long after headlines fade, is a vital lifeline to many.
 
How You Can Help
 
Australians are urged to dig deep and support our farmers doing it tough. Donations can be made at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.
 
Every dollar counts in helping deliver hay, water, and critical mental health services to the heart of Australia’s food bowl.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

200 Farms and Counting: Rural Aid Marks Major Recovery Milestone

Posted on 29 July 202529 July 2025

Rural Aid has proudly reached a major milestone this month, with its 200th farm receiving vital support as part of the charity’s Farm Recovery Event currently underway in Coraki, in the New South Wales Northern Rivers. The event, running through to 2nd August, marks a significant achievement in Rural Aid’s ongoing commitment to Australia’s farming communities.

Since its inception in 2018, the Farm Recovery Events program has provided hands-on assistance to farmers facing hardship, delivering practical help and hope to over 200 farms nationwide. Alongside individual farm support, Rural Aid has now completed 293 community and recovery projects, with the Coraki event marking the latest chapter in this impactful national initiative.
 
The work has spanned 45 towns and regions, from drought-affected Queensland properties to bushfire-ravaged areas in Victoria. Communities across Queensland (16), New South Wales (19), Victoria (9) and South Australia (2) have welcomed Rural Aid volunteers, who have contributed more than 56,000 hours of skilled labour over the past seven years.
 
This year alone, volunteers have collectively travelled more than 86,000 kilometres to take part in the charity’s FREs.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the milestone is a reflection of the charity’s commitment to long-term recovery and rural wellbeing.
 
“Our Farm Recovery Events are about more than fixing fences or building cattle yards,” Mr Warlters said. “They restore hope. Every kilometre travelled, every hour volunteered, is a reminder to our farmers that they are not alone.”
 
“Reaching our 200th farm is a significant achievement. It speaks to the strength of the rural spirit and the generosity of everyday Australians who put up their hands to help.”
 
The benefits of the program are both practical and personal. Volunteers help with essential property repairs, but the presence of helping hands and listening ears can have lasting mental health benefits for farmers recovering from drought, floods or fire.
 
“Time and again, farmers tell us that just having someone show up to help, even just to share a cuppa and talk, makes all the difference,” Mr Warlters said. “It reduces isolation, lifts spirits and strengthens resilience.”
 
The wider community also benefits, with Rural Aid completing more than 100 projects in public spaces like halls, showgrounds, schools and sporting clubs.
 
FREs also offer a unique and rewarding opportunity for corporate partners to take part in meaningful team-building experiences while directly supporting rural communities. Many businesses have already joined forces with Rural Aid to get their teams involved in on-the-ground recovery, gaining insight into rural life and creating real social impact.
 
Long-time Rural Aid volunteer Raelee Keegan said the experience is just as meaningful for those giving their time.
 
“We go in to help, but we get so much back,” she said. “You feel the gratitude and the connection straight away. I’ve volunteered in towns I’d never even heard of before, and now they feel like part of my extended family.”
 
Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Events rely on community donations, corporate support and a dedicated team of volunteers.
 
“While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, there’s so much more to do,” Mr Warlters said. “We’ll keep showing up, because rural Australia matters.”
 
To support Rural Aid’s recovery work or learn more, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

To learn more about the Coraki FRE visit https://media.ruralaid.org.au/restoring-farms-and-spirits-rural-aids-support-hits-the-ground-in-coraki/.

INEOS Automotive and Rural Aid Form Critical Partnership to Enhance Its Rural Capability

Posted on 21 July 202523 July 2025

• INEOS Grenadier 4X4s will support critical aid delivery and disaster response across Australia’s most hard to reach rural communities with Quartermaster Utes
• Partnership demonstrates INEOS Automotive’s unwavering commitment to regional and rural communities

Melbourne, 21 July 2025 – INEOS Automotive has announced a new partnership with independent charity, Rural Aid, that is set to bolster the organisation’s critical support capability in regional Australia. Rural Aid safeguards farming and rural communities before, during and after natural disasters, and also provides vital mental health and wellbeing support. It is dedicated to building a stable future for Australian farmers to ensure they can continue providing food and fibre for all Australians. The partnership was launched at Rural Aid’s “Drought Breaker” event held in Adelaide on 18 July 2025.

Through the partnership, INEOS will offer financial assistance and provide a fleet of nine (9) of its Quartermaster utes to Rural Aid’s counsellors and disaster support personnel, who will use the 4X4s to access some of Australia’s most remote farmers and farming communities to deliver their aid services.

Australia is renowned for having some of the world’s toughest terrains, and delivering assistance during natural disasters or supporting long-term community resilience can be a significant challenge for Rural Aid. Their mental health and disaster support teams often need to drive, as well as carry and tow loads, into these remote areas. This is where the capability and robust engineering of the Quartermasters will make an important difference for Rural Aid.

“Rural communities are the backbone of Australia. They’re resilient, hardworking and constantly adapting in the face of adversity,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “They need tools and support that work as hard as they do, and that includes vehicles. This partnership with INEOS Automotive is more than just operational; it’s a genuine commitment to backing the people who need it most as well as help us realise our vision.” 

Justin Hocevar, Regional Director, APAC at INEOS Automotive, said, “Our partnership with Rural Aid represents everything the Grenadier was built for – supporting communities in tough, often unforgiving environments. Rural Aid does essential work, and we’re proud to play a role in helping them reach more communities. We’re not just building 4X4s, we’re building relationships with the people who need them most, in places where performance, durability and reliability matter every day”.

The partnership with Rural Aid reflects INEOS’ expanding commitment to Australia and New Zealand’s regional and rural sectors. It strengthens an already growing network of community partnerships where the Grenadier is in active use, including with the Mt Buller resort operations team, Track Care WA, and SARDA NZ (Search And Rescue Dogs Avalanche), and is proudly supported by INEOS’ growing retail and service network, many of whom are based in and serve these same communities.

Contact details:

DEC PR on behalf of INEOS Automotive Australia
ineos@decpr.com.au
+61 2 8014 5033

ABOUT INEOS AUTOMOTIVE 

In 2017, INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for an uncompromising 4X4 engineered for modern day compliance and reliability. INEOS Automotive Limited was formed and a senior team of automotive professionals assembled to bring the vision to reality with a fresh perspective of 4X4 development and manufacturing.

In 2022 the INEOS Grenadier was launched: a truly global 4X4 built from the ground up that combines rugged British spirit and design with German engineering rigour. The Grenadier provides best-in-class off-road capability, durability, and reliability with the modern comfort and refinement customers expect wherever they are in the world. In 2023 a double-cab pick-up variant of the Grenadier was launched called the Quartermaster.

INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of INEOS (www.ineos.com), a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. It employs 26,000 people across 36 businesses, with a production network spanning 194 sites in 29 countries. From paints to plastics, textiles to technology, medicines to mobile phones, materials manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. In 2021, INEOS had sales of $65bn. To find out more about INEOS Automotive, visit www.ineosgrenadier.com

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

Source: The Land

Rural Aid Steps Up Mental Health Support for Regional Schools

Posted on 21 July 202521 July 2025

Rural Aid’s Mustering Growth program is continuing to grow, with seven regional schools across New South Wales and Queensland set to benefit from the wellbeing initiative during Term 3.

The program will be delivered to:

• Lismore South Public School, NSW – July
• Crabbes Creek Public School, NSW – July
• Eltham Public School, NSW – August
• Bajool State School, QLD – August
• Blakebrook Public School, NSW – September
• Rollands Plains Upper Public School, NSW – September

Mustering Growth helps rural students better understand and manage their emotional wellbeing, especially in the face of challenges unique to life in the bush. For many children in rural and remote areas, events like floods, bushfires and drought leave lasting mental and emotional impacts, often in communities where access to mental health services is limited.
 
The program teaches practical strategies to build resilience, improve communication, and support positive mental health in and out of the classroom. Through interactive sessions, students learn to express their emotions, support their peers and seek help when they need it.
 
“Programs like Mustering Growth are essential in helping kids process the emotional toll of living through repeated natural disasters,” said Myf Pitcher, Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager. “We want young people in rural areas to know they’re not alone, and that there are tools and support available to help them feel strong and connected.”
 
Principals from participating schools have welcomed the initiative, reporting increased confidence and emotional awareness among students who’ve taken part.
 
Rural Aid is inviting Australians to consider supporting the continued growth of the program. Donations help make it possible to bring Mustering Growth to more regional schools in need.
 
To donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.
To register a school’s interest in the program, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RA_MusteringGrowth_intro_2024.pdf

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid’s ‘Spirit of the Bush’ Photo Competition Returns to Celebrate Life on the Land

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

Rural Aid is proud to launch the 6th annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Australians to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land.

Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell their stories through the lens, stories of rugged beauty, resilience and community spirit in the face of hardship.
 
This year’s competition comes after another challenging season of natural disasters, with floods, fires, and droughts once again testing the resolve of the nation’s rural heartland.
 
“Every year, we are humbled by the entries we receive, each photo is a tribute to the unwavering spirit of our farming families and communities,” said Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters.
 
“The Spirit of the Bush competition is more than a showcase of talent. It’s a reminder of the grit and determination that keeps rural Australia going, even through the toughest of times.”
 
Entrants are invited to submit a high-resolution, landscape photograph that represents the true Spirit of the Bush. Photos can be submitted via Instagram or Facebook by tagging @ruralaid in the image and using the hashtag #SOTB2025. Entries can also be submitted, and the competition terms and conditions can be reviewed via our website at https://www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/.
 
A panel of judges will select ten winning images, each of which will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card. Winners will be announced on 15 September 2025.
 
“This is a celebration of the people and places that make our regions special,” Mr Warlters said. “Whether it’s a hardworking farmer, a storm rolling across a paddock, or a quiet moment at sunset, every image has the power to connect Australians with the bush.”
 
Rural Aid encourages everyone with a passion for photography and the country to pick up their camera and show the world what the Spirit of the Bush means to them.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au