News Archives

Don’t wait for disaster: Rural Aid urges farmers to register now

Posted on 14 September 202614 September 2026

With summer approaching and the risk of bushfires and other severe weather increasing across parts of Australia, Rural Aid is encouraging farmers to make sure they know where to turn if they need a hand.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting warmer and drier conditions across parts of the country this spring, with increased bushfire risk in several areas. The months ahead also bring the start of the tropical cyclone season, along with the potential for severe storms and flooding.

For farmers already dealing with dry conditions, the prospect of fire and other severe weather adds another layer of uncertainty.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said taking a simple step now could make it easier to access support if disaster strikes.

“Disasters don’t wait, and neither should farmers,” Mr Warlters said.

“We want farmers to take that step now, to be prepared.

“Getting registered with Rural Aid means we know who you are and where you are and if you need support, we can talk through what help may be available.”

Rural Aid provides a range of practical and wellbeing support services for farmers at no cost, including:

Financial assistance to help cover urgent or unexpected costs
Counselling and mental health support for farmers and their families
Emergency hay deliveries to support livestock
Water deliveries for essential household use
On-ground help through the Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs, assisting with clean-up and rebuilding

Cattle farmer Darrell Littlehales, from Ashford, NSW said farmers should not be reluctant to ask for help.

“Anyone seeking assistance, most definitely get in touch with Rural Aid. Don’t be ashamed,” he said.

Darryl said the process of getting help from Rural Aid was straightforward.

“The process is very easy. You just apply over the phone and they’ll be back in touch. It’s a big help. It’s an easy organisation, great people doing a great job.”

Mr Warlters said farmers did not need to be facing a disaster today to take the first step.

“We know farmers have a lot on their plate, but getting registered now is one less thing to think about if a fire or other disaster comes your way,” he said.

“Whether it’s a bushfire, flood, storm or drought, Rural Aid is here to help farmers and their families through the challenges that life on the land brings.

“So don’t wait, get registered with Rural Aid now and if you need a hand, we’ll be here.”

Register today by calling 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. Rural Aid is ready to help.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

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

The spirit of the bush shines through in Rural Aid photography competition

Posted on 14 September 202614 September 2026

Rural Aid has announced the 12 winners of its 2026 Spirit of the Bush photography competition, celebrating the people, landscapes, resilience and everyday moments that capture the true spirit of rural and regional Australia.

Since launching in 2020, the competition has built a powerful visual archive of rural life, capturing the resilience, humour, hardship, pride and beauty that define the bush.

This year, photographers were encouraged to share images reflecting the challenges, determination, people and natural beauty of rural and regional Australia, helping bring the country to the city through the power of photography.

Each of the 12 winning photographers will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card, with their winning images also featuring in Rural Aid’s 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition provided an important opportunity to showcase the people and places that make rural and regional Australia so special.

“The Spirit of the Bush competition gives us a wonderful window into rural and regional Australia, the people, the landscapes, the challenges and the moments of joy that make life in the bush so unique,” Mr Warlters said.

“These photographs tell stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated. They remind us of the strength, resilience, humour and connection that exists across our rural communities, and help share those stories with people right across Australia.

“Congratulations to all of our winners and to everyone who entered this year’s competition. The quality and variety of the images made selecting the winners a difficult task, and we’re proud to help share these snapshots of life in the bush.”

For winner Catherine Philips from Middlemount, Queensland, the competition was an opportunity to celebrate the families who live and work in rural communities.

“As a teacher who has raised her family in the bush, I think it’s so important to remind the country of all the families out here playing a vital role by living and working on the land,” Catherine said.

“I’m thrilled that my image was selected as a winner of the competition. I really hope it helps highlight and celebrate the people of the bush, their lives and the passion they have for life on the land.”

Fellow winner Mardi Harrison from Kyneton, Victoria, said the competition captured the values that underpin life in rural communities.

“To me, the spirit of the bush is about resilience, friendship and looking out for one another. It’s the quiet strength of farming families, working through good seasons and the tough ones,” Mardi said.

“It’s neighbours lending a hand without being asked, communities pulling together when times are difficult, and a deep connection to the land. Above all, it’s about mateship, belonging and never having to face the challenges alone.”

The winning photographs will be brought together in Rural Aid’s 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar, which will be available to purchase later this year from shop.ruralaid.org.au.

List of winners

Mardi Harrison – Kyneton, VIC
Jaymee Inwood – Carinda, NSW
Felicity Thomas – Mulwala, NSW
Catherine Philips – Middlemount, QLD
Michelle Peters – Molong, NSW
Jessica Osmond – Hay, NSW
Donna Hodgson – Quilpie, QLD
Hannah Perkins – Bairnsdale, VIC
Sandie Read – Mundubbera, QLD
Richard Poulish – Lower King, WA (2x winner)
Philip Down – Speed, VIC

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

The journey continues: Sam Longmore joins Rural Aid as Ambassador

Posted on 14 September 202618 September 2026

Following her extraordinary 441-kilometre wheelchair journey through regional New South Wales, Sam Longmore is continuing her commitment to rural communities as the newest Rural Aid Ambassador.

The Yass-based small business owner and adaptive athlete joins Rural Aid’s Ambassador team alongside Aussie Rules player Alyce Parker and retired Rugby League player Corey Jensen, using her profile to continue raising awareness of mental health and the challenges facing people in the bush.

Sam’s appointment follows The Big Wheel: Push for a Purpose, an eight-day journey from Corowa to Yass that took her through more than 20 regional communities and raised more than $200,000 for rural charities Rural Aid and Riverina Bluebell.

“I always wanted The Big Wheel to be about more than the kilometres or money raised,” Sam Longmore said.

“It was about getting people talking, bringing communities together and shining a light on mental health in rural Australia.

“Becoming a Rural Aid Ambassador means I can keep that conversation going. I’ve seen the incredible strength and generosity of rural communities, and I want to keep using my voice to support them.

“The Big Wheel showed me what’s possible when people come together behind a cause, and I’m really excited to continue that journey with Rural Aid.”

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Sam’s passion for rural communities and her ability to connect with people made her a natural fit for the role.

“Sam has an incredible ability to bring people together and get people talking,” Mr Warlters said.

“What she achieved through The Big Wheel was remarkable, but it was the purpose behind it that really stood out.

“Sam understands the importance of community and looking out for one another. We’re delighted she’ll continue using her platform to raise awareness of mental health and support people in rural and remote Australia.”

Through its work across rural and remote Australia, Rural Aid supports farmers and rural communities through challenging times, including drought, flood and fire, while investing in community development and mental health wellbeing initiatives.

For Sam, the Ambassador role is a chance to build on the momentum of The Big Wheel and continue supporting the communities that inspired her journey.

“The finish line in Yass wasn’t really the end,” Sam said.

“It feels more like the start of something. I want to keep the conversation going and remind people in rural communities that when times are tough, they don’t have to go through it alone.”

Australians can continue Sam’s mission by supporting Rural Aid and helping ensure farmers and rural communities have access to practical assistance, connection and wellbeing support when they need it most.

To support Rural Aid, visit ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.

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

Months after disasters strike, Rural Aid continues supporting farmers through recovery

Posted on 14 September 202614 September 2026

Earlier this year, floods, bushfires and cyclones caused widespread damage across rural communities right across Australia, but for many families the recovery journey is far from over.

Thanks to the generosity of Rural Aid supporters, hundreds of farming families have continued receiving practical and emotional support as they rebuild.

Rural Aid support between 1 January to 30 June 2026 has included:

Financial support to more than 300 families.
More than 4,000 hay bales to help farmers feed livestock.
114 water tanks to improve water resilience.
Nearly 10 million litres of drinking water for 437 farming families.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the support delivered in the months following disaster was critical, as farmers worked through the long process of recovery.

“Natural disasters can change a farming family’s life in a matter of hours, but recovery takes much longer,” Mr Warlters said.

“Once the initial response is over, farmers are often left repairing fences, replacing damaged infrastructure, caring for livestock and working to get their businesses back on track.

“The reality is that many farmers can feel isolated when they are facing these challenges. Rural Aid is there to remind them they are not alone, providing practical assistance, wellbeing support and a connection to people who understand what they are going through.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue standing alongside farmers throughout their recovery journey.”

Alongside practical assistance, Rural Aid has continued expanding its wellbeing support across affected regions.

A new Rural Aid counsellor based in Cloncurry is helping farmers and rural communities in North West Queensland access support closer to home, while Rural Aid counsellors continue visiting Victorian communities impacted by bushfires.

For farmers, this support can make a lasting difference.

Fourth-generation dairy farmer Jason Cousins knows first-hand the importance of ongoing support after disaster. Following flooding on his farm near Singleton, NSW, Mr Cousins was contacted by Rural Aid and connected with counselling support.

“I still talk to them today. This is from back in 2022,” Mr Cousins said.

“I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for that lifeline of the Rural Aid lady ringing me up that day.”

Jason said ongoing counselling support helped him manage the challenges that followed.

“Talking to the Rural Aid counsellors helps you work through things and work out how to cope. It helps you get through those tough times.”

Farmer Nancy Pitkin, from Tenterfield, NSW, said Rural Aid’s practical support and wellbeing services made a meaningful difference during challenging periods.

“Rural Aid assisted us with fencing materials and hay, which was so appreciated, and they also provided mental health counselling,” Ms Pitkin said.

“When times are tough and someone like Rural Aid reaches out, they’re the little things that keep you above ground.”

Mr Warlters said Rural Aid’s commitment to farming communities extends well beyond the initial response to disaster.

“Recovery is not measured in days or weeks. For many farmers, it is a journey that takes months and years,” Mr Warlters said.

“Our commitment is to be there for farmers throughout that journey, providing support when they need it most and helping rural communities remain strong.”

Farmers needing support, or Australians wanting to help, can visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

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

Ampol deepens support for regional communities through expanded Rural Aid partnership

Posted on 27 August 202627 August 2026

Ampol has announced a significant partnership expansion with Rural Aid to strengthen practical support, mental health and wellbeing services, and long-term resilience across regional Australia.

The three-year commitment builds on Ampol’s existing partnership with Rural Aid, which formally began in 2024 after five years of prior support, with fuel assistance for Rural Aid counsellors, volunteers and field teams, and helping critical services reach farming families and rural communities affected by drought, floods and other hardship.

Through the new agreement, Ampol will enable Rural Aid’s highest-priority programs, including disaster assistance, infrastructure, and programs to support farmers, farming families and rural communities through everyday pressures, hardship, disaster, recovery and longer-term resilience.

The partnership will also create opportunities for Ampol employees to volunteer alongside Rural Aid teams, contributing directly to practical assistance for farmers and rural communities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matt Halliday said the partnership reflected Ampol’s long-standing connection to regional Australia and commitment to the communities in which it operates through the Ampol Foundation.

“Regional communities are central to Australia’s economy and way of life, and Ampol is proud to deepen our support for the farmers, families and local communities who keep the country moving,” Halliday said.

“Our partnership with Rural Aid has delivered practical assistance where it is needed most, keeping their counsellors and volunteers on the road, helping recovery work take place at the farm gate and supporting the wellbeing of farming families.

“This three-year commitment gives Rural Aid greater certainty to plan and respond as needs evolve, while helping more communities recover from hardship.”

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Ampol’s three-year commitment will help Rural Aid reach more farming families and strengthen the support available to regional communities across Australia.

“Ampol’s support means we can strengthen the programs that matter to farming families, providing disaster assistance, mental health support and practical support when communities are doing it tough,” Warlters said.

“We know how much it means when someone shows up for a farming family in a difficult season. This partnership will help us reach further, connect with more communities and make sure more people know there is support available when they need it.

“Drought, flood, fire and ongoing pressures can have a profound impact on farming families and the communities around them. Having trusted support there to listen, provide practical help and walk alongside people can make a real difference.

“We’re proud to have Ampol alongside Rural Aid for the next three years. Their commitment will help us reach more families, strengthen rural communities and be there for people when they need a helping hand.”

Ampol’s expanded partnership with Rural Aid comes as rural and regional communities continue to manage rising costs, severe weather and prolonged disaster recovery. By combining Ampol’s national network, employee base and fuel supply capabilities with Rural Aid’s on-the-ground expertise, the organisations will help ensure timely assistance reaches communities when and where it is needed.

About Ampol:
Ampol is an independent Australian company and supply the country’s largest branded petrol and convenience network as well as refining, importing and marketing fuels and lubricants. Ampol has a deep history spanning over 100 years, having grown to become Australia’s largest transport energy provider, including through the AmpCharge electric vehicle charging network and exploration of low carbon liquid fuels, to ensure customers’ evolving needs are met.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster assistance, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

For further information, please contact:
Ampol Media
0417 905 914
media@ampol.com.au

Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au