News Archives

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

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.

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

Leading by Example: Camm Agricultural Group Calls on Industry to Feed a Mob for Rural Aid

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

A meaningful initiative between the Camm Agricultural Group and Rural Aid has come to a successful close, with proceeds from the sale of fifty head of cattle helping fund critical support for farming families across Australia.

The cattle, which were inducted and fed at the Camm Group’s Wonga Plains Feedlot at Bowenville in February, were then processed externally. Camm Agricultural Group donated the feed, animal health and freight contributions for the mob of cattle to Rural Aid, enabling the charity to continue its vital work in rural communities.

Camm Agricultural Group CEO Bryce Camm said the initiative was a practical and meaningful way to support those in need across regional Australia.

“After operating in rural Australia across four generations, our family intimately understands the trials and tribulations of life on the land.”

“We see this as a great opportunity to offer a hand up, not a handout to those who have faced the challenges that mother nature can throw at our livelihoods on the hand.”

“Our family has always held the mantra that the best outcomes are achieved when we give back to the communities in which we are invested.”

“I hope this inspires other beef community to think about how we can all contribute to those facing adversity.”

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Camm Group’s donation would have a lasting impact.

“This is support that goes beyond words, it translates into direct help for farming families who are doing it tough,” Mr Warlters said.

“Initiatives like this show what’s possible when agriculture steps up for its own. We’re incredibly grateful to the Camm team for their leadership and generosity.”

Camm Agricultural Group operates eight properties across Queensland, turning off 90,000 cattle annually. Its recently expanded Wonga Plains Feedlot now has a capacity of 25,000 head, reflecting the company’s long-term investment in sustainable beef production.

As the initiative concludes, Mr Camm encouraged others across the livestock sector to get involved where they can.

“Everyone in agriculture has something to offer,” he said. “Whether it’s livestock, logistics, or support services, it all adds up to a stronger, more connected rural Australia.”

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

Restoring Farms and Spirits: Rural Aid’s Support Hits the Ground in Coraki

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

12 Richmond Valley Shire farming families will receive vital support this month as Rural Aid delivers a two-week Farm Recovery Event (FRE) from 20 July to 2 August. The initiative will see 30 volunteers from across the country assist with fencing repairs, property maintenance, vegetation clearing, and small-scale construction projects, tasks that remain out of reach for many farmers still recovering from natural disasters.

Originally scheduled for March but postponed due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Coraki FRE has been extended to ensure maximum impact in a region still feeling the effects of the 2022 floods and other weather events.

“The jobs our teams take on, replacing fences, clearing overgrowth, repairing sheds, are critical to keeping farms safe and operational,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “We’re helping farmers get things around the house and farm on the right track and reduce some of the stress that comes with a long recovery.”

The volunteer teams will work side by side with landholders, many of whom have faced years of compounding challenges. While the focus is on physical recovery, the visits often provide an emotional lift too.

With Rural Aid scheduled to arrive in the Coraki region soon, Woodburn farmer Mr Tony Carusi is grateful to be on the list to receive support.

Mr Carusi said the practical help and community backing bring much-needed hope and strength to a region still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods.

“The aftermath was overwhelming,” Mr Carusi said. “When the Rural Aid team arrives, things start to happen. Their volunteers help with jobs we’ve had to put off, fencing, clearing debris, cleaning machinery, because we just haven’t had the hands.”

He said the support is not only physical but provides a significant mental boost for farmers.

“What makes this possible is the generosity of donors and corporate partners behind the scenes. Even if they can’t be here, their financial support makes a real difference. It shows people care, and that means a lot. Thank you.”

This event follows Rural Aid’s recent hay deliveries into Northern NSW, supporting farmers affected by this year’s floods. The organisation’s Farm Recovery Events are designed to deliver both immediate results and longer-term benefits, helping rural communities rebuild with strength and dignity.

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