Rural Aid photography competition returns with a rush of entries

Posted on 5 April 20225 April 2022

Rural Aid’s hugely popular Spirit of the Bush photography competition has returned in 2022.   More than 250 entries have already been received in the first week of the competition.   Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters, said it’s encouraging to see how eager Australians are to tell the stories of the bush through photography.   “Now in its third year, our Spirit of the Bush competition just keeps growing,” Mr Warlters said.   “The competition’s popularity is a testament to how much our nation supports our primary producers.   “We’re so excited to again choose a set of 12 ripper photographs for use in Rural Aid’s 2023 calendar.” Mr Warlters said.   A Rural Aid panel will be tasked with the difficult job of choosing the most striking photos, when the competition closes in May.    “We saw some breathtaking entries last year,” Mr Warlters said.   “Incredible photographs of mustering, fencing, kids playing and rural landscapes were just some of the images that made this year’s calendar.  “Looking at country life through a camera lens is one of the best ways to give the wider public a glimpse into life on the land.   “I encourage anyone with a camera and a love for the bush to send their entries in,” Mr Warlters finished.   Entries are encouraged via social media and through Rural Aid’s website.  In addition to having their photos used in Rural Aid’s annual calendar, winners will also receive a $250 pre-paid visa card.   Entries can be made here: www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush or by tagging #SOTB2022 in your Instagram or Facebook caption. 2022 entries can also be viewed via the website. Terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SOTB2022-TCs.pdf     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.

Farmers urged to attend flood recovery night in Clovass

Posted on 16 March 202216 March 2022

Northern Rivers farmers are being encouraged to attend a flood recovery BBQ this Friday night at Clovass. Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is helping organise the Community Flood Recovery and Information Night. The event will be held at the Clovass McKees Hill Hall, between Casino and Lismore. The Hall’s committee and the Tomki Rural Fire Brigade are also organising partners. Rural Aid Counsellor and Community Representative, Heidi Gray, said the event will be a good chance for locals to debrief after the floods. “It’s been an extremely challenging time for a lot of locals,” Ms Gray said. “The Flood Recovery Night is a chance for the community to reunite and commiserate. Catching up with neighbours is an important step on the recovery journey.   “There’ll also be a number of service providers attending on Friday night. This will be a great chance for locals to get up to date on the assistance available to them, whether that be financial, fodder, volunteer or counselling.” The attending service providers are: Rural Aid Resilience NSW National Recovery and Resilience Agency Service NSW BlazeAid Rural Financial Counsellors Red Cross And mental health clinicians from the local health district. “We’re also putting on a free BBQ so locals can share a meal and a yarn with their mates,” Ms Gray said. “Local musician Katie Botfield will also perform a few songs on the night,” Ms Gray finished. The Recovery and Information Night starts from 5pm at the Clovass McKees Hill Hall, corner of Bruxner Highway and Fig Tree Lane, on Friday the 18th of March. RSVPs are welcomed for catering purposes. RSVP to Heidi Gray at Heidi.gray@ruralaid.org.au or 0476 685 834. Primary producers are being encouraged to register with Rural Aid to access a range of free services. Farmers are urged to register online at 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

Volunteers needed for Orroroo makeover week

Posted on 7 March 20227 March 2022

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is urging South Australians to consider signing up for the Orroroo ‘Our Towns’ event.   The event is part of Rural Aid’s ‘Our Towns’ drought-recovery program and Orroroo is one of 10 towns chosen across Australia to participate. Orroroo has been awarded $100,000 to deliver a range of community-building projects, kicking off with a town makeover next month.     Volunteers will spend a week helping freshen up Orroroo’s key buildings and sunny streetscape.     The Rural Aid convoy is scheduled to arrive in Orroroo on Sunday the 3rd of April, 2022, and will depart on the 9th of April.     But Rural Aid’s Community Programs Coordinator said the charity is still searching for some extra helping hands.     “The Our Towns event is such an awesome way to give back to the rural towns that’ve suffered so much in recent years,” Jen Curnow-Trotter said.     “With Covid-19 still causing travel delays and dramas, we’re still short on volunteers for our Orroroo event.    “We’d love for some more South Australian-based volunteers to join Rural Aid’s volunteering ranks. This means we’ll be able to give Orroroo the best boost possible,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.     Rural Aid volunteers are provided caravanning spots, fed three meals a day, and have free time to explore the region or relax by the campfire at night.     “Volunteering with Rural Aid is really rewarding. You’ll meet a great bunch of people and make friends for life, all while helping our mates in the bush,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.     For more information, or to register as a volunteer, please contact Rural Aid’s Farm and Community Volunteer Coordinator Julia Hahn on (07) 3153 4612 or by emailing Julia.hahn@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 raises almost $200,000 in 24 hours for flood affected farmers

Posted on 3 March 20223 March 2022

In the space of just 24 hours, generous Australians have rallied to better the lives of flood affected farmers, through an outstanding donation effort. 

Almost $200,000 was raised by Rural Aid’s supporters on Tuesday alone. This included a $25,000 donation from energy infrastructure business APA Group.  

Primary producers affected by the tragic events are eligible to receive cash payments from Rural Aid as a direct result of the generous donations coming in. They can also access Rural Aid’s full suite of free support measures. 

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters thanked the public for their swift generosity, and has noted the outpouring of donations was one of the strongest shows of support in the leading rural charity’s recent history.  
Mr Warlters said the sense of loss and despair caused by the flooding tragedy has been felt right across the nation.

“Rural Aid’s counsellors are flat out right now. They’re comforting farmers in the Northern Rivers who’ve had hundreds of their cattle swept out to sea. They’re calling Lockyer Valley growers, who’ve lost their entire crop under metres of water. Unfortunately, our farmers are again on the frontline of yet another natural disaster,” Mr Warlters said.  There are currently 15,600 farmers registered with Rural Aid across the country. More than 1,800 of the registered primary producers live in flood affected zones.  Rural Aid farmers in the 18 disaster-declared Local Government Areas are eligible to apply for Rural Aid’s financial assistance. Registering with Rural Aid is quick and simple and best done via the website www.ruralaid.org.au.  “Financial assistance is just one of the support measures that Rural Aid offers our farmers in times of distress or disaster,” Mr Warlters said. “Rural Aid also provides free counselling, fodder and water drops, and access to our amazing volunteer platform, Farm Army.”  “We are so grateful for our generous supporters who never hesitate to dig deep when a crisis strikes. Thank you to all those who’ve donated so far,” Mr Warlters finished.   Donations can be made online at www.ruralaid.org.au/flood-appeal-2022 or by calling 1300 327 624. 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.

Flood affected farmers urged to register with Rural Aid

Posted on 1 March 20228 March 2022

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is urging farmers to register with the organisation for disaster assistance, in the wake of the devastating floods in Eastern Australia.   Hundreds of farmers in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales have been inundated by torrential rain and life-threatening floods.   Growers watched on helplessly as their beloved crops were swallowed by rising floodwaters. Graziers risked their lives to move stock to higher ground, as rivers swelled to record highs.   Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it’s been a terrifying ordeal for many.   “The unrelenting rain over Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales has been distressing and dangerous,” Mr Warlters said.   “Our hearts go out to farmers who’ve had years of hard work washed away before their eyes.  “Rural Aid stands ready to assist our registered farmers as they face yet another crisis.”   Farmers across the Northern Rivers, Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Burnett are feeling the effects of this disaster.   Mr Warlters said Rural Aid Counsellors and Community Representatives had been busy calling our registered farmers in the affected areas.   “Rural Aid is committed to helping primary producers recover through wellbeing, financial and fodder assistance,” Mr Warlters said.   “For now, the most helpful thing Rural Aid can do is to check-in with our registered farmers, and urge un-registered farmers to sign up.  “When it’s safe to do so, Rural Aid counsellors will visit their farmers’ properties in person, to lend an ear and a helping hand.”  Primary producers are being encouraged to register with Rural Aid and in doing so can access a suite of assistance – be it financial, counselling, fodder, domestic water, or access to volunteers.   Farmers are urged to register online at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.    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 0447 116 757.