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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.

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

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

Australian farmers are facing overwhelming pressure. They shouldn’t have to face this alone.

Posted on 4 May 20264 May 2026

Australian farmers are facing mounting pressure as drought, fires, floods and rising costs continue to impact communities across the country.

Rural Aid is calling on Australians to stand with farmers and their families, as many continue to recover from recent disasters while managing the rising cost of keeping their farms running.

Drought, fires, floods and cyclones have hit farming regions in quick succession, leaving many communities still recovering while preparing for what comes next. At the same time, soaring costs for essential inputs like diesel and fertiliser are making it harder to maintain day-to-day operations.

This is no longer a single difficult season. It is a period of compounding pressure, where multiple challenges are being felt at once. For many farmers, that means managing recovery, rising costs and uncertainty at the same time, with limited capacity to absorb further shocks. Without support, many farmers will continue to face increasing pressure, placing further strain on their livelihoods and the future of their farms.

Rural Aid’s latest Pulse of the Paddock data reflects this, with financial strain, climate variability and rising costs continuing to shape daily life on the land. More farmers reported a decline in their mental health over the past 12 months than those who saw improvement.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said farmers are facing multiple pressures at the same time, with little separation between recovery and ongoing operations.

“Farmers are dealing with disaster recovery, rising costs and ongoing uncertainty all at once,” Mr Warlters said.

“These pressures are not isolated. They are overlapping, and that is what is causing concern for our farmers’ wellbeing across many regions.”

“Rural Aid is here to help, but we can’t do it alone. Now is the time for Australians to come together to give our farmers and their families the urgent boost they need right now. A donation today will help to provide vital support such as professional counselling, financial assistance, hay, water and water tanks.”

In Victoria’s west, Natimuk farmer Michael Sudholz is among those rebuilding after fires moved through his community earlier this year.

“It happened so fast. Within half an hour everything had changed,” Mr Sudholz said.

“You don’t really understand the scale of it until you are living through the recovery. It takes a long time to work through what has been lost.”

His experience reflects a broader reality across farming communities, where recovery is ongoing and often sits alongside everyday operational pressures.

Rural Aid’s work is centred on standing alongside farming communities through hardship and uncertainty, providing support that is timely, practical and focused on long-term recovery as well as immediate need.

Mr Warlters said this urgent appeal for donations is about ensuring that the right assistance at the right time is available for our farmers and their families.

“We know farmers are strong, but they shouldn’t have to carry everything on their own,” he said. “With so many farmers in need, your support is critical to ensure we can provide the help needed to get them through.”

Make a tax-deductible donation today to help provide the support our farmers need: www.taxtime.ruralaid.org.au.

Media note:
Rural Aid welcomes media interest in the launch of its 2026 Tax Appeal and is available to support feature coverage on the impact of ongoing disasters, rising input costs and the realities facing farming communities across Australia.

We are keen to work with media partners to bring these stories to life, including facilitating farmer interviews, providing access to case studies, and assisting with on-farm filming where appropriate.

Media outlets interested in developing feature stories or arranging interviews are encouraged to get in touch.

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

Mice on the move: Rural Aid stands ready to support impacted farmers

Posted on 30 April 202630 April 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across South Australia and Western Australia to seek support as worsening mouse activity threatens crops, livestock feed, and farm infrastructure.

Recent forecasts from the CSIRO indicate high mice populations across southern South Australia, moderate levels in south-west Western Australia, and lower – but still present – activity across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The warning follows the devastating 2020–2021 mouse plague in eastern Australia, which caused an estimated $1 billion in damage.

Mice infestations can have severe impacts on farming operations, including consuming newly planted seeds, destroying emerging crops, contaminating livestock feed, and damaging machinery, vehicles, and household wiring.

With conditions expected to remain challenging, Rural Aid is reminding primary producers that support is available and encouraging those affected to get in touch early.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the emerging situation is deeply concerning.

“Mouse activity of this scale can escalate quickly and place enormous pressure on farming families,” Mr Warlters said. “We’ve seen firsthand the destruction these plagues can cause. We want farmers to know they’re not alone – support is available, and we encourage anyone impacted to reach out as soon as possible.”

Rural Aid provides a broad range of services at no cost to farmers, including:

Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
Hay deliveries for livestock during challenging periods
Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
Volunteer support through the Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs to assist with on-ground needs

Assistance is available now for farmers. Call 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

Mounting global uncertainty driving increasing mental health concern in rural Australia

Posted on 23 April 202623 April 2026

Rural Aid is warning of rapidly escalating mental health pressures on Australian farmers, their families, and rural communities as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global fuel and fertiliser supplies.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing instability have driven sharp increases in the cost, and in some cases the availability, of diesel and fertiliser, placing enormous strain on farming operations already under pressure.

For many farmers, it’s not just the rising costs, it’s the complete uncertainty around how long these conditions will last.

Rural Aid Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, said the unpredictability is one of the most damaging aspects.

“What we’re hearing is a level of stress that comes from not knowing where the ceiling is. Prices are rising, conditions are tightening, and there’s no clear end point. Farmers are being asked to make huge financial decisions in the dark.”

“Putting a crop in the ground right now can mean tens of thousands of dollars in upfront costs. When fuel and fertiliser prices are this volatile, that decision becomes incredibly confronting.”

These pressures are building at a time of significant climate vulnerability. An El Niño pattern is forecast to bring months of minimal rainfall, extending drought conditions across large parts of the country. Many farmers are also still recovering from a destructive summer of bushfires, cyclones and severe storms.

The combined weight of these challenges is being felt deeply across rural Australia.

“It’s not one issue, it’s everything coming at once. Financial pressure, seasonal uncertainty, recovery from disasters, and now global instability. It’s relentless, and it wears people down.”

Rising fuel costs are also driving a growing sense of isolation in rural communities. Everyday activities that once provided connection and support are increasingly out of reach.
“We’re hearing from families who are thinking twice about every single trip, whether it’s going into town, seeing friends, or picking kids up from boarding school. Fuel isn’t just a line item anymore, it’s shaping people’s lives.”

“When those connections start to fall away, people can become very isolated very quickly, and that has serious implications for mental health.”

Entire communities are also feeling the impact. Winter tourism, particularly from caravanners, is a vital source of income and social connection for many regional towns. With fuel prices surging, cancellations are already affecting local businesses and community morale.

“When the visitors stop coming, towns feel it immediately. There’s less activity, less energy, and less opportunity for people to connect. That has a ripple effect well beyond the economy.”

Rural Aid is urging farmers and rural community members not to face these pressures alone.

“We know people are carrying a lot right now. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, but it’s an important one. There are people ready to listen and help.”

Rural Aid provides confidential mental health and wellbeing support, with qualified counsellors based in every state at no cost to farmers. Counsellors can travel directly to farmers or provide support over the phone, removing the need for costly travel.

Farmers and their families can access support by calling Rural Aid on 1300 175 594 or visiting www.ruralaid.org.au.

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