Months after disasters strike, Rural Aid continues supporting farmers through recovery

Posted on 14 September 202614 September 2026

Earlier this year, floods, bushfires and cyclones caused widespread damage across rural communities right across Australia, but for many families the recovery journey is far from over.

Thanks to the generosity of Rural Aid supporters, hundreds of farming families have continued receiving practical and emotional support as they rebuild.

Rural Aid support between 1 January to 30 June 2026 has included:

• Financial support to more than 300 families.
• More than 4,000 hay bales to help farmers feed livestock.
• 114 water tanks to improve water resilience.
• Nearly 10 million litres of drinking water for 437 farming families.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the support delivered in the months following disaster was critical, as farmers worked through the long process of recovery.

“Natural disasters can change a farming family’s life in a matter of hours, but recovery takes much longer,” Mr Warlters said.

“Once the initial response is over, farmers are often left repairing fences, replacing damaged infrastructure, caring for livestock and working to get their businesses back on track.

“The reality is that many farmers can feel isolated when they are facing these challenges. Rural Aid is there to remind them they are not alone, providing practical assistance, wellbeing support and a connection to people who understand what they are going through.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue standing alongside farmers throughout their recovery journey.”

Alongside practical assistance, Rural Aid has continued expanding its wellbeing support across affected regions.

A new Rural Aid counsellor based in Cloncurry is helping farmers and rural communities in North West Queensland access support closer to home, while Rural Aid counsellors continue visiting Victorian communities impacted by bushfires.

For farmers, this support can make a lasting difference.

Fourth-generation dairy farmer Jason Cousins knows first-hand the importance of ongoing support after disaster. Following flooding on his farm near Singleton, NSW, Mr Cousins was contacted by Rural Aid and connected with counselling support.

“I still talk to them today. This is from back in 2022,” Mr Cousins said.

“I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for that lifeline of the Rural Aid lady ringing me up that day.”

Jason said ongoing counselling support helped him manage the challenges that followed.

“Talking to the Rural Aid counsellors helps you work through things and work out how to cope. It helps you get through those tough times.”

Farmer Nancy Pitkin, from Tenterfield, NSW, said Rural Aid’s practical support and wellbeing services made a meaningful difference during challenging periods.

“Rural Aid assisted us with fencing materials and hay, which was so appreciated, and they also provided mental health counselling,” Ms Pitkin said.

“When times are tough and someone like Rural Aid reaches out, they’re the little things that keep you above ground.”

Mr Warlters said Rural Aid’s commitment to farming communities extends well beyond the initial response to disaster.

“Recovery is not measured in days or weeks. For many farmers, it is a journey that takes months and years,” Mr Warlters said.

“Our commitment is to be there for farmers throughout that journey, providing support when they need it most and helping rural communities remain strong.”

Farmers needing support, or Australians wanting to help, can visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

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

Ampol deepens support for regional communities through expanded Rural Aid partnership

Posted on 27 August 202627 August 2026

Ampol has announced a significant partnership expansion with Rural Aid to strengthen practical support, mental health and wellbeing services, and long-term resilience across regional Australia.

The three-year commitment builds on Ampol’s existing partnership with Rural Aid, which formally began in 2024 after five years of prior support, with fuel assistance for Rural Aid counsellors, volunteers and field teams, and helping critical services reach farming families and rural communities affected by drought, floods and other hardship.

Through the new agreement, Ampol will enable Rural Aid’s highest-priority programs, including disaster assistance, infrastructure, and programs to support farmers, farming families and rural communities through everyday pressures, hardship, disaster, recovery and longer-term resilience.

The partnership will also create opportunities for Ampol employees to volunteer alongside Rural Aid teams, contributing directly to practical assistance for farmers and rural communities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matt Halliday said the partnership reflected Ampol’s long-standing connection to regional Australia and commitment to the communities in which it operates through the Ampol Foundation.

“Regional communities are central to Australia’s economy and way of life, and Ampol is proud to deepen our support for the farmers, families and local communities who keep the country moving,” Halliday said.

“Our partnership with Rural Aid has delivered practical assistance where it is needed most, keeping their counsellors and volunteers on the road, helping recovery work take place at the farm gate and supporting the wellbeing of farming families.

“This three-year commitment gives Rural Aid greater certainty to plan and respond as needs evolve, while helping more communities recover from hardship.”

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Ampol’s three-year commitment will help Rural Aid reach more farming families and strengthen the support available to regional communities across Australia.

“Ampol’s support means we can strengthen the programs that matter to farming families, providing disaster assistance, mental health support and practical support when communities are doing it tough,” Warlters said.

“We know how much it means when someone shows up for a farming family in a difficult season. This partnership will help us reach further, connect with more communities and make sure more people know there is support available when they need it.

“Drought, flood, fire and ongoing pressures can have a profound impact on farming families and the communities around them. Having trusted support there to listen, provide practical help and walk alongside people can make a real difference.

“We’re proud to have Ampol alongside Rural Aid for the next three years. Their commitment will help us reach more families, strengthen rural communities and be there for people when they need a helping hand.”

Ampol’s expanded partnership with Rural Aid comes as rural and regional communities continue to manage rising costs, severe weather and prolonged disaster recovery. By combining Ampol’s national network, employee base and fuel supply capabilities with Rural Aid’s on-the-ground expertise, the organisations will help ensure timely assistance reaches communities when and where it is needed.

About Ampol:
Ampol is an independent Australian company and supply the country’s largest branded petrol and convenience network as well as refining, importing and marketing fuels and lubricants. Ampol has a deep history spanning over 100 years, having grown to become Australia’s largest transport energy provider, including through the AmpCharge electric vehicle charging network and exploration of low carbon liquid fuels, to ensure customers’ evolving needs are met.

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 assistance, 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 further information, please contact:
Ampol Media
0417 905 914
media@ampol.com.au

Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Help lighten the load for Australia’s farming families

Posted on 27 August 202627 August 2026

Rural Aid is calling on Australians to help carry the weight for farming families who are doing everything they can to keep going through disasters, adversity and the daily pressures of life on the land.

Behind every farm is a family carrying more than most of us will ever see. They’re caring for livestock, working the land, supporting their families, keeping their businesses going and wondering what the next season will bring.
 
For many, the weight is becoming too much.
 
Drought, floods, fires, rising costs, financial pressure and the uncertainty of farming can take a heavy toll. Often, the hardest struggles are the ones no one sees.
 
Farmers are used to getting on with the job. They don’t always ask for help. They shouldn’t have to face the toughest times alone.
 
A donation today can help make sure a farming family has someone in their corner when they need it most, providing practical support, a helping hand and hope when the road ahead feels overwhelming.
 
For farmer Tanya Bertram, recent drought has had a devastating effect. Watching the creek on her 250-acre property in Dalveen, Queensland, run dry has meant facing the ongoing cost of keeping livestock fed.
 
“We’ve still got possibly six months that we’re going to be hand feeding livestock. That’s quite costly,” Tanya said.
 
Rural Aid recently provided Tanya’s family with hay and financial assistance, helping them keep their cattle going through the dry conditions.
 
She has a simple message for anyone thinking of donating to Rural Aid.
 
“This is where your food comes from,” Tanya said. “Our sheep go to markets, they go to the butchers, they go to your supermarkets.”
 
“If you can support Rural Aid, please do. It means a lot to farming families knowing there’s someone there when things get tough.”
 
For Chinchilla cattle farmer Les Mayer, a severe storm changed everything in the space of an hour, destroying his hay shed and damaging his home.
 
“It happened within a space of an hour, a quite frightening hour and we haven’t been able to live at home since,” Les said.
 
Months later, Les and his family are still working towards returning home. Rural Aid volunteers helped clear the property, taking a significant burden off the family.
 
“It’s just a big relief that Rural Aid has come and done all this for us,” Les said.
 
Les said supporting farmers means supporting every Australian.
 
“Nobody can survive without a farmer. We’ve all got to eat,” Les said. “Your food and your fibre comes from farmers like me.”
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said donations can help ensure farming families have somewhere to turn when facing challenging times.
 
“Farmers do so much for all of us, and when dealing with adversity, they need Australians in their corner too,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“A donation can help provide hay when there is no feed for livestock, financial assistance when a family is under pressure, help after a disaster or mental health support when someone needs it.
 
“Please stand with our farming families and help carry the weight.”
 
Help Carry the Weight for Farmers. Donate today at ruralaid.org.au/carrytheweight or call 1300 327 624.

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

Allianz Australia and Rural Aid unite to support communities recovering from disasters

Posted on 27 August 202627 August 2026

Allianz Australia has announced a new three-year partnership with Rural Aid as part of its Allianz Community Care program, with Allianz employees already making a tangible difference on the ground for farming families at Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Event in Chinchilla, Queensland.

The Allianz Community Care program unites Allianz Australia’s community partnerships under one shared mission. It aims to build mental resilience, strengthen social connection, and support long-term disaster recovery. Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, delivering practical assistance and mental health support for farmers and their families as they navigate the challenges of drought, flood, fire and adversity.

As a national partner of Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Events, Allianz Australia is helping support farms across the country through a range of practical recovery activities. In July 2026, Allianz employees visited Chinchilla and worked directly alongside farming families and Rural Aid volunteers on practical recovery tasks like clearing up storm debris, fencing and sheep marking. These jobs are critical but often overwhelming for families managing the aftermath of disasters alone.

Susan Mizrahi, General Manager of Sustainability, Allianz Australia, said, “What struck me most in Chinchilla was the power of people coming together. Seeing our employees work alongside farmers, volunteers and community members brought Allianz Community Care to life in a way that was both humbling and inspiring.”

“Recovery is more than repairing fences and infrastructure; it’s about the unseen scars. This experience was a powerful reminder that small acts of support and connection, delivered with the right partners, can have a lasting impact.”

For Kyle Mellors, whose Chinchilla property was devastated by major hailstorms and flooding, the support went beyond completing tasks. “The volunteers have come out to help with some of our creek flood fences that have been washed down over the years. Being out here, we tend to prioritise the big jobs that keep the farm ticking along, so the little things inside the house do get missed. Having that extra help makes a big difference.”

Les Mayer, a farmer whose Chinchilla property was impacted by a very severe, destructive storm in March, said, “I hate asking for help, but I’m really grateful that they’re here and they’re doing it. Having the team here this week has been a massive relief because everything that had been blown around has been picked up, stacked up and cleaned up.”

For many farmers, recovery is a long process with competing demands on their time. Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Events not only provide practical relief, but a powerful sense of connection and support during an incredibly difficult period, ultimately providing farming families with the confidence, relief and renewed capacity to work towards rebuilding their livelihood.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the partnership with Allianz will play an important role in helping Rural Aid reach more farmers, support more families and strengthen the communities that are so vital to Australia’s future. “Behind every farm is a family, and behind every farming family is a story of hard work, dedication and commitment to producing the food and fibre that Australians rely on. But when challenges arise, the pressures can become overwhelming.”

“At Rural Aid we stand beside farmers – we listen and respond, reminding farmers that they don’t have to face these challenges alone. This partnership with Allianz helps us extend that support to more people across rural Australia. Together, we can make sure more farming families receive the right assistance at the right time,” said Warlters.

The volunteering experience also had a profound effect on the Allianz team who participated. Martin, Allianz Australia employee, said, “Volunteering with Rural Aid through Allianz was a powerful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful work happens when you show up for someone in their toughest moment. Seeing the relief and renewed hope on a farmer’s face at the end of the day is an image that will stay with the team for a long time. It’s the kind of experience that fills your spirit and proves that small acts of genuine care can make an extraordinary difference.”

The next Farm Recovery Event Allianz will support is in the Atherton Tablelands from 23 to 28 August. Allianz Australia will announce more partnerships under the Allianz Community Care program in the coming months.

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

Every drop matters: Rural Aid delivers 100 millionth litre of water to farming families

Posted on 27 August 202627 August 2026

Rural Aid has now delivered its 100 millionth litre of domestic water, marking a major milestone in its support for farming families across Australia. The milestone represents more than water deliveries. It represents essential support for thousands of farming families who have relied on Rural Aid for access to a basic necessity during some of the most challenging conditions.

Rural Aid’s domestic water assistance provides water for household use, including drinking, washing, cleaning and other everyday needs. During drought, when water supplies become limited, access to household water can become one of the most urgent challenges facing farming families.
 
The service began in 2018 after Orange, NSW resident Jane Doherty saw the impact drought was having on farmers in her community. In September that year, Ms Doherty contacted a local water carter and they began personally funding water deliveries to local drought-affected farming families before approaching Rural Aid to help expand the initiative. This local act of support has since grown into a national effort, with Rural Aid delivering domestic water to farming families across Australia
 
Ms Doherty said she never imagined those first deliveries would grow into a service that has delivered 100 million litres of water to farming families across Australia.
 
“I remember seeing what farmers were going through and thinking, ‘How can we help?’ Water seemed like such a simple thing, but when you don’t have enough of it, it affects every part of your life. Water is the only thing you can’t live without,” she said.
 
“It’s not just water in a tank. It’s a shower at the end of a long day, brushing your teeth, being able to wash clothes, having enough water for your family and knowing you can get through another week.”
 
“I’m incredibly grateful to every person who has made a financial donation, every water carter who has helped deliver the water, and Rural Aid for making it possible to provide this vital support to farming families at no cost when they need it most.”
 
“Farmers spend their lives looking after this country and feeding our communities. When they’re facing tough times, it’s important they know they’re not forgotten.”
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the 100 million litre milestone demonstrated the generosity of Australians and the importance of providing practical support to farming families during times of disaster.
 
“One hundred million litres is an extraordinary milestone, but behind that number are thousands of farming families who were previously unable to access something every household needs: reliable water,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“A water delivery is not just about filling a tank. It means a family can drink, shower, wash clothes and continue living on the land with one less pressure to carry.”
 
The impact of domestic water support was recently highlighted through a delivery to sheep farmer Peter Rogers at Ashford, NSW. Mr Rogers said the delivery was a reminder that farming families are not facing drought alone.
 
“It just shows that people care. There are still people out there who care, and when Rural Aid puts in the effort to help farmers, it means a lot. It reminds us that we’re not doing it on our own,” Mr Rogers said.
 
“There are six people in the house, and the water goes towards all those everyday things: drinking, showers, washing and everything else. It keeps us going a bit longer and takes some pressure off.”
 
“If Rural Aid hadn’t turned up with the water, we would have had to buy it. That’s another cost you don’t budget for, but it’s something you absolutely need.”
 
Rural Aid continues to provide vital support to farming families experiencing hardship through domestic water deliveries and other drought assistance services, including financial support, hay and mental health wellbeing. Farmers needing support, or Australians wanting to help, can visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

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