Category: News

Rural Aid supports the Healthier Rural Australia Campaign

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lliance (NRHA) petition submitted to Australian Parliament this month to build a healthier future for rural Australia.

The NRHA submitted the petition calling for a 10-year National Rural Health Strategy that includes advocating for better access to services, promoting health education, and enhancing community engagement.

Nearly 30 percent of Australians living and working outside of cities are being denied the basic human right to health and are dying younger than their urban counterparts. “We recognise that access to quality healthcare remains a significant challenge for many in rural communities. It is our collective responsibility to address these inequalities.” Said John Warlters Rural Aid CEO.

Rural Aid is dedicated to improving the mental health outcomes of rural Australia. The Rural Aid Mental Health and Wellbeing team is made up of experienced counsellors who are based in rural towns across the country.

“Our work with farmers and rural communities is embedded in improving access to essential services. Supporting the NRHA’s petition allows us to advocate for stronger healthcare systems that benefit all rural Australians.” said Rural Aid’s Mental Health Manager Myf Pitcher.

“At Rural Aid, we believe that every Australian deserves access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their location. By working together, we can make significant strides toward reducing health inequalities in rural areas and improving the lives of countless individuals and families.”

How Can You Help?
Join us in advocating for improved rural healthcare. Together, we can ensure that every person, regardless of their location, has access to the quality care they deserve. Sign the e-petition today and help create a healthier, more equitable future for rural and remote Australians.

Be the Change. Join us in championing for a healthier rural Australia.

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 supports National Farmer Rally

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Australia’s most trusted rural charity has thrown its support behind the National Farmer Rally in Canberra today (Tuesday, September 10) to stand up for the future of agriculture.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the nation’s farmers are feeling undervalued.  

“80 per cent of our farmers have reported they believe people don’t value the work and effort it takes to provide food and fibre,” Mr Warlters said.  

“These results, outlined in Rural Aid’s recent Pulse of the Paddock report, were echoed by studies from Norco and the National Farmers’ Federation.  

“It shows there is a gap between the general public’s understanding of farm life, and the harsh realities of life on the land,” Mr Warlters said.   

Mr Warlters said the National Farmer Rally will highlight the many challenges farmers face on a daily basis.  

“Having a well-supported, thriving agriculture industry is vital to every single Australian,” Mr Warlters said.  

“It’s an occupation that is challenging at the best of times, given the uncontrollable nature of weather, markets and factors such as government policy. 

“Rural Aid is enormously appreciative of the role of our farmers play in the community and economy.  

“Rural Aid is committed to standing with our mates in the bush when they need it most, and supporting farmers who are passionate about making a change,” Mr Warlters said.  

The National Farmer Rally is taking place at Canberra’s Federation Mall on Tuesday, September 10 at 11am.  

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, contact Rural Aid media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.

Rural Aid’s Pulse of the Paddock report can be found here.

Farmers needed: Rural Aid volunteers ready to help

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Rural Aid volunteers are preparing to roll up their sleeves for a week of disaster-recovery works in the Alpine Shire.  

Rural Aid’s Farm and Community Events Coordinator Grant Miskimmin said there is still room for more farmers to sign up and receive a helping hand on their property. 

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has organised more than 30 volunteers to visit Dederang farms in October.  

“We are looking for farmers who could use a hand during Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Event,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

“We know farmers can be a proud bunch and many won’t ask for help, but Rural Aid would like to change that,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

Mr Miskimmin said the volunteers can do a range of tasks, guided by the farmer’s needs.  

“We know the Alpine Shire was badly affected by storms, and that many farmers haven’t had a chance to recover from them,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

“Our volunteers can help with tasks like fencing, stockyard repairs, small infrastructure projects, plumbing, painting, gardening and more.” 

Rural Aid volunteers will be in Dederang from October 13-19.  

“Our Farm Recovery Events are always a wonderful week. Our volunteers are amazing people who really enjoy being on-farm, and our farmers often find they’ve made life-long friendships with their team of volunteers,” Mr Miskimmin said. 

“To help local farmers, we need to know who they are.” “Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Event in Dederang,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

To take part in the Dederang Farm Recovery Event, farmers must be registered with Rural Aid and must be a primary producer. 


For more information, please contact Rural Aid on 1300 327 624 or by visiting www.ruralaid.org.au  

Rural Aid can also provide assistance with fodder, domestic water, rainwater tanks, financial assistance and mental health and wellbeing counselling.    

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 CEO John Warlters on 0409 618 641 or at john.warlters@ruralaid.org.au

Source: The Alpine Observer

Rural Aid’s iconic photo competition opens

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Australia’s most trusted rural charity has opened its annual photography competition to the public for its fifth year.  

Spirit of the Bush is an Australian-wide photography competition run by Rural Aid.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition was a great way to get a glimpse into life on the land.  

“Our Spirit of the Bush competition is always very popular, attracting hundreds of entrants from across Australia,” Mr Warlters said.  

“The winning 12 photos are turned into a beautiful wall calendar.” 

“I encourage amateurs, professionals and everyone in between to submit their photographs to the 2024 competition.” 

“Spirt of the Bush is a wonderful celebration of the highs and lows of life on the land.” 

Mr Warlters urged photographers to get in quickly this year.  

“We’ve shortened the competition window slightly this year, so if you’d like to take part, make sure you don’t dilly-dally.” 

“It’s our fifth year running this iconic competition, and we’d love it to be bigger than ever!” 

“We’ve already received some amazing high-quality images from previous entrants, but we’d love to see some new faces on board before the comp closes on October 1,” Mr Warlters said.  

Winners will be featured in Rural Aid’s 2025 wall calendar and will also receive a $250 pre-paid VISA card.  

The competition closes October 1, 2024. 

Entrants must submit a high-resolution, landscape image via Instagram or Facebook, with the hashtag #SOTB2024 and tag @ruralaid in the picture, or upload their photo through the Woobox link: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/  

The competition’s Terms and Conditions can be found at: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/  

PHOTOGRAPHER LOCATIONS: Spirit of the Bush 2023 winners’ details 

First name Last name Closest town State 
Anne Bell Esperance WA 
Debbie Cristinelli Tambellup WA* 
Jane Taylor Carnarvon WA 
Shannon Swanton Manilla NSW 
Paula McIver Barraba NSW* 
Lauren Bell Monogorilby QLD 
Kathryn Ecroyd St George QLD 
Neil Kendall Brisbane QLD^ 
Dave Tan Allora QLD 
Amie Hosking Moura QLD 

(*) These photographers both have two winning photos in the 2024 calendar 
(^) This photo was taken at the Dayboro Rodeo 

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 CEO John Warlters on 0409 618 641 or at john.warlters@ruralaid.org.au

Farmers urged to reach out for help

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Australia’s most trusted rural charity is encouraging farmers to reach out for assistance this Farm Safety Week.  

“This year’s Farm Safety Week theme is ‘in safe hands’,” Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.  

“Rural Aid’s mission is to stand with farmers when they need it most.” 

“We’re encouraging farmers to register with Rural Aid, so that our organisation and its passionate donors, can support farmers’ wellbeing and safety with a hand-up.” 

Rural Aid’s range of assistance measures help farmers improve their lives and businesses before, during and after disaster events – be it drought, bushfire or flood.  

“Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team do a fantastic job of heading on-farm to chat with primary producers, at no cost to the farmer,” Mr Warlters said. 

“Our financial, water and fodder assistance provides urgent relief for farmers in need. 

“And our Farm Recovery Events supply farmers with a team of volunteers, ready to tackle farming jobs post-disaster,” Mr Warlters said. 

Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, said it takes strength to reach out for help.  

“We want farmers to treat themselves as their most precious business asset and be open to receiving help with their busy workload,” Ms Pitcher said.  

“One conversation at the right time with the right person can change everything”. 

“More than 18,000 primary producers are “in safe hands”, already registered with Rural Aid,” Ms Pitcher said.  

“Registering with Rural Aid means we can support farmers when they need it, now or in the future, and it helps us support rural communities as well.” 

“Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to see how we can help.” 

To register with Rural Aid, visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 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 CEO John Warlters on 0409 618 641 or at john.warlters@ruralaid.org.au