Category: News

“A one-two punch”: Rural Aid scales up support as locust crisis deepens in flood-hit Outback Queensland

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Farmers across Outback Queensland are bracing for another devastating blow, as swarms of locusts rip through more than 5.3 million hectares of pastureland — compounding the emotional and financial toll of this year’s catastrophic floods.

Rural Aid is actively supporting farmers across the region and standing ready to escalate its response, including hay deliveries, financial assistance, and mental health support as the situation worsens.
 
“This is a one-two punch for many farming families,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters
 
“Earlier this year, floodwaters destroyed homes, fences, feed, and infrastructure. Now, as farmers begin to rebuild, locusts are stripping paddocks bare and threatening the recovery.”
 
“Rural Aid is already delivering assistance to rural communities and is fully prepared to step up support in response to this unfolding locust crisis — but we need the public’s help to do it.”
 
Feed loss mounting — donations urgently needed to help provide support for farmers.
 
Locust swarms have now been confirmed across the Richmond, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and Flinders Regional Council areas, with widespread destruction reported across more than 5.3 million hectares of grazing land.
 
The Queensland Government has announced an additional $4.5 million for statewide locust control efforts, complementing the $1 million in recovery funding announced last month under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
“Rural Aid welcomes this funding,” said CEO John Warlters. “But we know from experience that Rural Aid will play a crucial role in supporting farmers before, during, and long after this disaster.”
 
“Locusts are destroying thousands of tonnes of natural feed and replacing that with hay is going to require significant support,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Rural Aid stands ready to deliver, but to match the scale of what’s unfolding, we’re calling for urgent donations. Every truckload of hay we send is funded by generous Australians who want to keep our farmers going.”
 
Rural Aid’s support offering
 
Rural Aid is delivering a coordinated response across the region, with services including:

  • Hay deliveries to support livestock feed shortages
  • Financial assistance to help cover household and farm costs
  • Free mental health counselling from Rural Aid’s qualified rural counsellors
  • Volunteer assistance through the Farm Army
  • Long-term recovery and community wellbeing programs

To expand its support footprint, Rural Aid is also recruiting a full-time counsellor to be based permanently in Western Queensland.
 
“Farmers need to know they’re not alone in this,” Mr Warlters said. “We’re here. We’re ready. And we’ll respond with everything we’ve got — but we need Australians to stand with us and help make that happen.”
 
Farmers can register for support at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.

To help provide assistance to farmers affected by the locust outbreak, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Photo credit: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-19/outback-locust-control-funding-queensland-graziers/105787162

Natural Disasters on the Rise – Rural Aid Responds as Farmers Face Increasing Pressure

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Australia is experiencing an unprecedented rise in the number and severity of natural disasters, with 70 events officially declared by the Australian Government in the 2024–25 financial year. In Queensland alone, all but one Local Government Area (LGA) recorded a declared natural disaster – a sobering statistic highlighting the increasing toll of a changing climate.

The economic impact has been immense. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Federal Treasury announced the cost of lost economic activity due to natural disasters to be estimated at $2.2 billion. A significant financial and emotional burden of these disasters falls on farmers and rural communities.
 
As the pressure mounts, Rural Aid has been working around the clock to support primary producers with a suite of essential services – from emergency assistance to long-term mental health support.
 
“We’re seeing disasters hitting more often, and hitting harder,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters.
 
“It’s pushing farmers and their families to breaking point. At Rural Aid, we’re consistently delivering hay, household water, financial assistance and recovery support right across the country.”
 
Over the past year, Rural Aid has responded to disasters including droughts, bushfires, floods, and storms. The organisation’s support has included:

  • Hay drops to feed livestock
  • Deliveries of clean household water and water tanks
  • Farm recovery programs and volunteer rebuilds
  • Financial assistance for urgent needs
  • Community building initiatives to build local economic resilience
  • Access to mental health and wellbeing services for farmers and families

The mental health impacts are severe and growing. Natural disasters, combined with the ongoing pressures of rural life, are leaving many producers in a state of chronic stress.
 
“A ten-minute hailstorm can wipe out a year’s worth of work and income,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Our farmers live with constant uncertainty. Their livelihoods depend on the weather – and that’s becoming less predictable by the day.”
 
Rural Aid remains a steadfast partner before, during and after disasters, but the charity’s work also extends well beyond natural crises. Farmers face a range of ongoing challenges – from market volatility and succession pressures, to isolation and limited access to services – that require year-round support.
 
With the annual cost of natural disasters in Australia projected to reach at least $73 billion by 2060, according to Deloitte modelling, the demand for Rural Aid’s services is growing rapidly.
 
“We can’t keep up with demand without the support of everyday Australians and generous businesses,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“We rely on donations to keep delivering our services. Every dollar makes a real difference on the ground.”
 
To donate or find out more, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Winning Photos Capture Heart and Soul of the Bush

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Rural Aid is proud to announce the winners of its sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photography Competition, a celebration of the resilience, beauty and community spirit that define rural Australia.

This year’s competition saw a record breaking response, with 201 entrants submitting 429 photos – nearly double the number received in 2024. Each image offers a glimpse into life on the land, showcasing everything from quiet moments of reflection to the vastness and harshness of the Australian landscape.

The ten winning images, each awarded a $250 prepaid Visa card, were selected for their ability to tell powerful stories through the lens. The photos reflect the realities of rural life – its challenges, triumphs and the deep connection people have with country and community.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition continues to reveal the stories that often go unseen.

“This year’s photos are a moving tribute to life outside the city limits. They tell stories of perseverance, pride and connection,” Mr Warlters said.

“There’s an authenticity to these images that resonates. Whether it’s a family working through drought, or a breathtaking sunrise over a remote property, the spirit of the bush shines through.”

Amy Ahchay from Calliope, Queensland captured the hearts of the judges with a candid image of local countrymen Rob and Gordon sharing a laugh over a cuppa in the paddock. “It’s a moment that sums up life in the bush,” says Amy. “Tough on the outside, but grounded in warmth, humour, and mateship.” A first-time entrant, Amy says being recognised is both humbling and a celebration of the stories that often go untold in rural Australia.

“I spotted Rob and Gordon deep in conversation across the paddock and just had to capture the moment. It was the perfect snapshot of bush life, two country larrikins, their horses, a cuppa, and a good laugh.”

“To me, this is what the spirit of the bush is all about. It’s raw, it’s real, but it’s also full of heart. Mateship, storytelling, and that unshakable sense of connection that ties rural communities together.”

“This was my first time entering, and it’s very exciting to be part of something that celebrates country life.”

The winning images will feature across Rural Aid’s campaigns, publications and social media, helping raise awareness of life in the bush and the people who call it home.

Rural Aid is encouraging photographers to consider becoming volunteer content creators by donating their images. These photos are essential to Rural Aid’s fundraising and awareness work.

Photographers who would like to get involved can message Rural Aid directly on its social media channels.

List of winners
 
Tamara Ward, Two-time winner, Tincurrin, WA
Inge Gajczak, Two-time winner, Pittsworth, QLD
Wendy Tan, Allora, QLD
Erika Smart, Erina, NSW
Amy Ahchay, Calliope, QLD
Jenny Sant, Young, NSW
Tim Bateup, Goondiwindi, QLD
Karen Leibinger, Springsure, QLD

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Australians Called to Stand with Struggling Farming Families

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When natural disasters strike, they don’t just damage land and livestock, they shake the foundations of farming families across the country.

As Australia continues to experience severe weather events and economic uncertainty, Rural Aid is calling on Australians to donate to help to provide crucial assistance to farming families recovering from natural disasters.
 
Whether it’s years of drought, devastating floods or destructive fires, the stress on the land flows directly into the home. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters says the ripple effect is felt by the whole family.
 
“We often talk about the financial and physical toll of disasters, but the emotional impact on families is just as significant,” Mr Warlters said.
 
Rural Aid provides practical and emotional support to families before, during and after disasters. This includes emergency hay, drinking water, financial assistance and access to mental health support to help farming families recover and rebuild.
 
Rural Aid steps in to ease some of this load, offering tailored assistance that strengthens the family’s capacity to keep going and stay together through challenging times.
 
Mr Warlters said Rural Aid is urging Australians to show solidarity with families on the land.
 
“By donating today, you’re helping farming families feel seen, supported and less alone,” he said.
 
“These are the families who feed the nation. They deserve to be supported with a helping hand to help them get through.”
 
To donate today visit www.countrykids.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Varroa Mite Hits SA: Rural Aid Offers Support to Affected Producers

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Rural Aid is mobilising vital support for South Australian beekeepers following the detection of the destructive Varroa mite in the Riverland region. The parasitic pest was confirmed for the first time in South Australia on September 4, 2025, in beehives at Pooginook, sending ripples of concern through the state’s agricultural community.

The Varroa mite poses a severe threat to Australia’s honeybee population, with significant implications for crop pollination and food production. Its arrival in South Australia places even greater urgency on the need for robust biosecurity responses and comprehensive support for affected producers.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the charity is standing alongside the state’s beekeepers and broader farming community as they face the unfolding threat.
 
“Bees are our littlest livestock, but they play a massive role in sustaining the health of Australian agriculture,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“The Varroa mite doesn’t just impact honey production – it threatens the entire pollination process that supports fruit, vegetables, nuts and other crops. Supporting beekeepers means protecting a critical part of our national food supply.”
 
Rural Aid is urging South Australian primary producers, including apiarists and those in pollination-dependent industries, to reach out for assistance. The charity offers a wide range of free, confidential and practical support services, including:

  • Financial assistance
  • Counselling and wellbeing check-ins
  • Domestic water and water tank deliveries
  • Hay donations
  • Farm Army job platform
  • Educational resources
  • Community-building initiatives

Rural Aid supports producers across all sectors of agriculture, including those in lesser known but equally vital industries like apiary, horticulture, viticulture, aquaculture, organic farming, and dairying.
 
“This outbreak is a reminder that every corner of our agricultural system is interconnected and vulnerable,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“At Rural Aid, we want all primary producers to know they are not alone. No matter your commodity or farm size, if you’re doing it tough, we’re here to help.”
 
Registering for Assistance:
 
Primary producers impacted by the Varroa mite outbreak, or facing hardship for any reason, are encouraged to register with Rural Aid today via www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided/ or by calling 1300 327 624.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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