News Archives

New Rural Aid counsellor to support flood-affected North-West Queensland communities

Posted on 25 May 202625 May 2026

Rural Aid has reinforced its commitment to supporting farmers and rural communities across North-West Queensland with the appointment of Cloncurry-based counsellor and community representative, Kylie Braes.

Ms Braes’ appointment follows the devastating floods earlier this year, which caused widespread property damage and significant livestock losses, placing ongoing financial and emotional strain on farming families.

Based in the North-West Queensland region, near Cloncurry, Ms Braes will provide on-the-ground support to farmers and their families, working across local towns and LGAs to deliver counselling services and strengthen Rural Aid’s connection with local communities.

The role has been made possible through a $500,000 partnership contribution from Evolution Mining, in support of Rural Aid’s work with farming families and rural communities across the region

Rural Aid CEO John Walters said Ms Braes’ appointment is a vital step in ensuring ongoing support.

“The floods had a profound impact on farming families across North-West Queensland, and recovery is still ongoing,” Mr Walters said.

“Having Ms Braes on the ground, someone who understands life on the land, means we can deliver practical, timely support where it’s needed most and ensure farmers know they’re not facing these challenges alone.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to Evolution Mining for their partnership and helping us expand support where it’s needed most.”

Ms Braes and her husband manage a large cattle station near Cloncurry, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by primary producers, from climate variability and isolation to the emotional toll of natural disasters.

Ms Braes said she is passionate about supporting her community during recovery.

“This region has been hit hard, and the floods have taken a real toll on many families, both financially and emotionally,” Ms Braes said.

“Being part of the agricultural community myself, I understand the pressures farmers are under, and how important it is to have someone local who understands those challenges and is there to listen.”

“I’m proud to be working with Rural Aid to support our communities and help people navigate the challenges ahead.”

Ernest Henry Operations General Manager Jason Floyd said Evolution Mining’s $500,000 investment is focused on delivering practical, local support where it will have the greatest impact.

“Our investment is about ensuring farmers and their families have access to meaningful, on-the-ground support as they recover from the floods and rebuild for the future,” Mr Floyd said.

Rural Aid continues to deliver support across disaster-affected regions, including financial assistance, hay support and mental health services. Assistance is available now for farmers. Call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. We’re here 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

Rural Aid appoints new counsellor to support South West Victorian farmers and families

Posted on 25 May 202625 May 2026

Rural Aid has strengthened its commitment to supporting Victorian farmers, their families and rural communities with the appointment of Lawrence Maskill as a dedicated Rural Aid counsellor and community representative based in South West Victoria.

This appointment comes at a critical time for regional Victoria, where farming communities continue to face mounting pressures from natural disasters such as bushfires and drought, alongside rising operational costs including fuel and fertiliser. These challenges have placed significant strain on the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and their families.

“Farmers across South West Victoria are facing a unique combination of pressures, and the impact on mental health can’t be underestimated,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “Having someone like Lawrence on the ground, who understands both farming life and crisis support, means people can access help that is practical, personal and genuinely relevant to their situation.

“This role is about more than counselling. It’s about building trust within communities and making sure support is there before people reach breaking point.”

Ms Maskill brings a wealth of lived and professional experience to the role, having worked in beef and sheep farming as well as a qualified counsellor and crisis support worker.

“I’ve seen firsthand the highs and lows that come with farming, and how quickly circumstances can change,” Ms Maskill said. “Drought, fire, rising costs – it all adds up, and it can take a real toll on individuals and families.

“What I want people to know is that they don’t have to carry that on their own. Whether it’s a tough season or a crisis moment, having someone to talk to who understands can make a real difference.

“I’m looking forward to getting out into the community, listening to people’s stories and working alongside them to build strength and resilience for the future.”

Based in the Colac Otway region, Ms Maskill will provide on-the-ground support to farmers and their families across South West Victoria, working across local towns and communities to deliver counselling services and strengthen Rural Aid’s connection with local communities.

Rural Aid continues to support farmers and rural communities everyday through practical assistance, mental health and wellbeing support, and community development, including in disaster-affected regions. Farmers and their families seeking support can call Rural Aid on 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. We’re here to help.

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

Rural Aid ramps up drought response as demand for support grows

Posted on 20 May 202620 May 2026

For many farming families across large parts of eastern Australia, ongoing dry conditions are not only reducing feed and water availability, but forcing difficult decisions about livestock, production and the future of their farms. Rural Aid support is increasingly important to how they are managing through the conditions.

Fifth-generation Singleton dairy farmer Jason Cousins says prolonged dry weather has left paddocks with almost no usable feed, making day-to-day support essential to keep stock going.

“It’s extremely dry at the moment… it just keeps ramping up,” Mr Cousins said.

“There’s just no feed in the paddocks. Even on 300 acres, there’s nothing there to keep stock going.”

He said assistance delivered through Rural Aid, funded by donations from the public and partners, has made a direct difference to his ability to maintain livestock through the drought.

“We’ve had hay deliveries from Rural Aid, which has extended the lifeline,” he said.

“Without that, we wouldn’t be able to keep them going. There’s just nothing growing.”

Rural Aid says it is continuing to respond across drought-affected regions as demand for assistance remains strong, with farmers relying on support to manage livestock, water shortages and ongoing financial pressure.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said farmers are facing sustained pressure from dry conditions and rising operating costs.

“We are seeing very strong and sustained demand across drought-affected communities,” Mr Warlters said.

“Farmers are dealing with very dry conditions, limited feed and rising operating costs all at once, and that combination is putting significant pressure on farm businesses.”

In northern New South Wales, Ashford farmer Kathy Gleeson said ongoing dry conditions following recent bushfires have left paddocks bare and water supplies under pressure, with support helping ease some of the strain on daily operations.

“We’ve had bushfires recently and no follow-up rain, so the grass just hasn’t grown,” she said.

“It’s very bare out here, and we’re hand feeding cattle every day just to get through.”

“We’ve got crops we would normally sow for winter feed, but there’s been no rain to prepare the ground, so that’s been completely lost this year.”

“One of our dams hasn’t been dry in over 80 years, as long as I can remember. We’re desperately in need of rain.”

She said support from Rural Aid, has helped ease immediate pressure during the drought.

“We’re very grateful to Rural Aid for bringing us hay. Without that assistance, things would be extremely tough,” she said.

Rural Aid says rising fuel, fertiliser and transport costs continue to compound the impact of drought conditions, adding further pressure to already constrained farm budgets.

Mr Warlters said ongoing support from the public and partners are what allow the organisation to continue responding wherever need is identified.

“We are doing everything we can to respond,” he said.

“But continued support allows us to keep meeting the level of need we are seeing on the ground.”

Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to help farmers impacted by ongoing drought conditions by making a tax-deductible donation this financial year.

Donations help ensure farmers continue to receive essential support including hay, water, financial assistance and counselling during prolonged dry conditions.

Donations can be made at: www.taxtime.ruralaid.org.au.

Farmers seeking assistance can contact Rural Aid on 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

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

National Volunteer Week: Rural Aid Calls on Australians to Make It “Your Year to Volunteer”

Posted on 19 May 202619 May 2026

Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to get involved during National Volunteer Week (18–24 May 2026), highlighting opportunities to support farming communities through its Farm Recovery Events across regional Australia.

Under this year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer”, Rural Aid is calling on individuals, community groups and workplaces to take part in practical on-farm recovery work supporting farmers impacted by during drought, fire, flood and other disasters.

Loxton Farm Recovery Event (31 May – 5 June)

Volunteers are needed for the next Farm Recovery Event, taking place in Loxton, South Australia from 31 May to 5 June 2026.

The event will provide targeted support in the Riverland region as ongoing drought continues to place pressure on farm viability, livestock management and the mental wellbeing of farming families.

Volunteers assist with fencing, repairs, property clean-ups and general farm recovery work, helping restore essential infrastructure and ease pressure on farming families.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said volunteer support is central to long-term recovery.

“Recovery in farming communities takes time, and volunteer support makes a real difference on the ground,” Mr Warlters said.

“It helps ease pressure on farmers and supports them as they rebuild after difficult seasons.”

Farmer impact

Tim Kemp, a citrus farmer on the NSW Central Coast, said volunteer support has made a significant difference during recovery efforts.

“Rural Aid volunteers have done what would normally take us weeks in just a couple of days,” he said.

“It’s a huge help. It takes pressure off us and allows us to focus on rebuilding and moving the farm forward.”

Volunteer experience

First-time volunteer Jesse Hyatt said the experience highlighted the importance of supporting farming communities.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to help those farmers in rural areas affected by all sorts of ongoing challenges that still haven’t recovered, no matter how many years ago they were,” he said.

“It’s been wonderful hearing the stories from the farmers and working with a bunch of good people all with the same goal.”

“I’d definitely do it again. It’s been worthwhile.”

He said the biggest impact was seeing the difference volunteers can make.

“It really takes the pressure off farmers and shows they’re not on their own.”

Other Farm Recovery Events in 2026

Additional Farm Recovery Events are planned across the year:

19–25 July – North Queensland (TBC): Supporting remote communities impacted by monsoonal flooding and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji
23–28 August – TBC
18–23 October – TBC

Final locations will be confirmed by 30 June 2026.

Call for volunteers

Rural Aid encourages Australians to take part in Farm Recovery Events during National Volunteer Week and throughout 2026.

No farming experience is required, and all training, tools and support are provided on-site.

Join a Farm Recovery Event and make it “Your Year to Volunteer” at www.ruralaid.org.au/volunteers.

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

Charlie Mort joins Rural Aid to support Australian farmers

Posted on 11 May 202611 May 2026

Charlie Mort, Executive Chairman of one of Queensland’s most prominent agribusinesses, has joined Rural Aid as a Patron alongside current Patron Gina Rinehart AO.

Founded in 1997 as a custom-feeding venture for cattle producer clients, Mort & Co has grown over almost three decades into Australia’s largest privately held lotfeeding business and a significant force in the nation’s beef supply chain.

Mr Mort said he was proud to support Rural Aid in a formal capacity and to contribute to an organisation working directly with farming families across the country.

“Australian farmers have always operated under the pressure of climate variability, rising costs and global market uncertainty,” said Mr Mort.

“What we are currently experiencing as a result of the war in Iran, with fuel and fertiliser shortages, is just one example of how agricultural businesses are often forced to adjust and innovate simply to remain viable – regardless of global volatility.”

“Rural Aid plays an important role in stepping in when communities are facing challenges. I’ve always admired their on the ground, practical support and I am pleased to be able to support that work and the people behind it.”

Rural Aid Chair Alex Hutton said Mr Mort’s appointment comes at a time of sustained demand for support across rural Australia and reflects the strength of leadership backing the organisation.

“Charlie brings deep experience across the agricultural sector and a clear understanding of the realities facing farming communities,” said Mr Hutton.

“His appointment strengthens Rural Aid’s capacity not only to support farmers on the ground, but to continue building strong advocacy for rural communities at a national level.”

Mr Mort joins Gina Rinehart AO as a Patron of Rural Aid, strengthening senior leadership support for the organisation and its work alongside farming communities across Australia.

The addition of Mr Mort builds on this foundation, bringing together two of Australia’s most prominent agribusiness leaders as Patrons of Rural Aid and reinforcing growing support from across the agricultural sector for its work with farming communities nationwide.

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