Rural Aid helps farmers who’ve lost livestock, crops to floods

Posted on 18 October 202230 May 2023

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is helping farmers across Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania as they face devastating, widespread flooding.  

Rural Aid’s team of counsellors are conducting welfare checks on Rural Aid’s registered farmers. 

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the floods were hitting particularly hard in Victoria’s north, while in NSW and Queensland, farmers with crops nearing harvest were increasingly anxious as flood water and continuing rain caused costly downgrading. 

“It’s upsetting to hear stories of flooded homes, dead livestock, and flattened crops,” Mr Warlters said.  

“Winter crops are approaching harvest, so to see them downgraded or destroyed so close to the finish line is a devastating blow. 

“Losing livestock is truly heartbreaking for our farmers, who work so hard to keep their animals alive and healthy. 

“Months of hard work and investment has now been written off, alongside people’s homes, fences, sheds and machinery,” Mr Warlters said.   

Rural Aid has been on the front foot responding rapidly to the unfolding situation – sharing its dedicated counselling phoneline with the thousands of farmers in impacted regions and, where safe to do so, mobilising its counsellors to offer one-on-one emotional support to producers on-farm. 

Rural Aid has counsellors on the ground in Forbes, NSW and in northern Victoria. 

The entire counselling team has been phoning farmers across the flood-impacted regions.  

Registered primary producers are also being offered financial assistance as they deal with the devastating effects of the flood.  

More than 70 local government areas (LGAs) across the three states are directly affected, impacting thousands of families. 

The wellbeing team is the largest team within Rural Aid, reflecting the priority the charity places on addressing the mental health challenge confronting rural Australia.  

Rural Aid counsellors are expecting an increase in calls to its new, dedicated 1300 175 594 counselling line, as the extent of the current flooding situation becomes more apparent.  

Farmers registered with Rural Aid can access counselling support and request financial assistance and fodder for livestock.  

Producers that aren’t registered are encouraged to do so immediately via www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624. 
 

For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.  
 

About Rural Aid  Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid is back in the Burnett!

Posted on 10 October 202210 October 2022

Volunteers from Australia’s most trusted rural charity are spending the week in Gayndah to work on another round of important town improvements.  

Thirty-five volunteers are lending their skills to a dozen projects as part of the Rural Aid Our Towns initiative.  

Gayndah is one of ten towns across Australia to receive $100,000 from Rural Aid to spend on town makeover works. 

Rural Aid Community Programs Coordinator Jen Curnow-Trotter said it was an honour to be welcomed back into the special town, after a team of volunteers first visited Gayndah in 2020. 

“We’re so excited to be back in Gayndah, a town Rural Aid shares a special bond with,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.  

“It’s fantastic that we could squeeze in another week of makeovers. We’ve got a huge list of projects that we are excited to get started on. 

“Thanks to Queensland Energy, who contributed to Rural Aid’s funding of the Our Towns program, we can now complete jobs that we couldn’t get around to on our first visit to Gayndah,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.  

The volunteers will work on Gayndah’s Heritage Railway, CWA Hall, showgrounds, jockey club, bowls club, Historical Society and pottery club.  

The team will also spend time on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and the Binjour Bowls Club. 

The projects most in need of a helping hand were identified in community meetings run by small town expert Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.  

A Community Development Plan was created from the meetings, which has guided Gayndah locals in the years since its inception.  

“It’s great to see Gayndah locals have been working hard on projects in between Rural Aid’s visits,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said. 

The volunteers arrived in town on Sunday 9 October and will be wrapping up their week on Friday 14 October.  

About Rural Aid  
Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au  The award-winning Our Towns program is part of Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures initiative. 
 
For interviews or more information, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au 

Rural Aid’s new national phone line for faster counselling access

Posted on 9 October 20229 October 2022

A new, dedicated phone line will allow farmers across the country to quickly and easily connect with the Rural Aid counselling team.
The direct line will ensure farmers are provided a faster and more trauma-informed response to their request for counselling.
Rural Aid’s counsellors are based across the country and offer free, confidential counselling to farmers and their families.
Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lauren Stracey, said the team will be able to prioritise and respond to calls more effectively with the new number (1300 175 594).

“We know that it’s important to have a trained counsellor help guide farmers through the period of reaching out for help,” Ms Stracey said.
“By initiating a dedicated 1300-line, farmers are able to access a trained counsellor who can support them with referrals for immediate needs, while getting a sense of their story and matching them with the most appropriate support.”
“Taking the first step in seeking support takes guts, but once you’ve done it you realise counselling is really just another tool you can use to get through tough times.”

“Rural Aid is experiencing an increase in the number of farmers reaching out for help at the moment. Some farmers are now at the stage where they are ready for mental health support, after experiencing disaster earlier this year. Also, farmers may have felt an increased sense of anxiety since the confirmation of a third La Nina event.”

“We want to make sure that if a farmer is ready to explore the idea of counselling, that we are there straight away to assist,” Ms Stracey said.
South Australian sheep farmer Kaye Wicker reached out to a Rural Aid counsellor after a series of personal hardships including the death of her brother and compounding financial stress.

“Not only was it very grief filled but it was just an incredible amount of work,” Ms Wicker said.

“It was just that intense fear of losing everything and not being able to keep it together.”

The Waitpinga farmer said she initially found it hard to speak about the things scaring her the most.

“I found my time working with my Rural Aid counsellor very beneficial, just to help breakdown those overwhelming feelings.”

Ms Wicker said the fact the counselling sessions are free meant a barrier was removed to accessing help.

“If there was a charge, I wouldn’t have been able to access it.”

“It takes a lot of courage to make that phonecall. But it’s well worth it if you do,” Ms Wicker said.

Rural Aid counsellors catch up with their farmers where they’re most comfortable; whether it’s on farm, in town, or over the phone.

To get in touch with a Rural Aid counsellor, phone 1300 175 594. This phone line is staffed by a Rural Aid counsellor between 9am and 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

Rural Aid delivers hay to flood affected farmers

Posted on 26 September 202226 September 2022

A dozen Northern Rivers farmers have collected more than 30 tonnes of hay, in a boost to their flood recovery efforts.  

More than 120 bales of hay were today distributed to Northern Rivers farmers at the Buckendoon event.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the hay drop gave farmers more than just stock feed.  

“Our hay drops are a chance for farmers to take a break off their place, have a cuppa and catch up with their mates,” Mr Warlters said. 

“Recovering from floods is a long, tough and sometimes lonely road. Rural Aid is proud to stand with farmers as they navigate their recovery.” 

Lismore region farmer Jason Rhodes said this year is the wettest he’s ever seen on his property.  

“We just had another weekend of rain, so it’s miserable,” Mr Rhodes said. 

“It’s so waterlogged that water has just got nowhere to go.” 

The Braham cattle breeder described Rural Aid’s assistance as a ‘godsend’.  

“We’ve never had to feed our cattle hay before this, so that’s saying something,” Mr Rhodes said.  

Also in attendance at today’s hay drop was Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Regional New South Wales, Mick Veitch.  

“I am grateful that Mr Veitch was able to spend the day listening to our farmers who’ve been on the front-line of these floods,” Mr Warlters said.  

“We know how important it is for farmers to have their stories listened to first-hand, and for politicians to understand that recovery takes time and is not one-paced.”  

In addition to hay drops, Rural Aid has also been assisting farmers in the Northern Rivers region with pre-paid visa cards, water tanks, water deliveries and free counselling. 

Primary producers are encouraged to reach out to Rural Aid for assistance.  

Farmers can register at www.ruralaid.org.au.  

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au

For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.

Rural Aid wraps up Coolah ‘Our Towns’ makeover

Posted on 26 September 2022

The central west town of Coolah has undergone a significant facelift thanks to Australia’s most trusted rural charity.

Forty-three Rural Aid volunteers have transformed dozens of Coolah’s facilities as part of Coolah’s Our Towns week.

Coolah is one of 10 towns chosen to receive $100,000 from Rural Aid to help deliver a range of community-enhancing projects.

Coolah local leader Sally Edwards thanked the Rural Aid team and said the visit will provide a vital boost to the town’s economy.

“If the town’s a bit more attractive when tourists drive in then maybe they’ll stay and explore and find out what we love so much about our town.”

The volunteers helped to transform the town’s tennis club, showgrounds, swimming club and main street.

Coolah’s Our Towns week was made possible due to property investment and development company Holdmark.

“After a tough few years in Coolah battling fires, drought, floods and the pandemic, it has been fantastic to be able to play a meaningful role in enhancing this beautiful community,” Holdmark CEO Sarkis Nassif said.

“From freshly painted halls to upgraded fencing, we’re proud to support the amazing work of the Rural Aid team. Thank you to the many volunteers who have transformed the town.”

Rural Aid’s Farm and Community Coordinator, Grant Miskimmin, thanked the town for their outstanding hospitality.

“Rural Aid has had an incredible week in the special town of Coolah, we’ve really been embraced by the community,” Mr Miskimmin said.

“It’s been our pleasure to work on projects that we first outlined years ago with Peter Kenyon, as part of Coolah’s Community Development plan.”

“After postponing our volunteer week twice thanks to Covid-19, it’s been a real thrill to finally visit Coolah and complete these important projects,” Mr Miskimmin said.

The award-winning Our Towns program is part of Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures initiative. Rural Aid is heavily invested in strengthening rural communities through its multi-faceted Stronger Futures program- giving locals the resources and confidence needed to help their region thrive.

About Rural Aid 

Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au 

For interviews or more information, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au