Category: News

Leading by Example: Camm Agricultural Group Calls on Industry to Feed a Mob for Rural Aid

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A meaningful initiative between the Camm Agricultural Group and Rural Aid has come to a successful close, with proceeds from the sale of fifty head of cattle helping fund critical support for farming families across Australia.

The cattle, which were inducted and fed at the Camm Group’s Wonga Plains Feedlot at Bowenville in February, were then processed externally. Camm Agricultural Group donated the feed, animal health and freight contributions for the mob of cattle to Rural Aid, enabling the charity to continue its vital work in rural communities.
 
Camm Agricultural Group CEO Bryce Camm said the initiative was a practical and meaningful way to support those in need across regional Australia.
 
“After operating in rural Australia across four generations, our family intimately understands the trials and tribulations of life on the land.”
 
“We see this as a great opportunity to offer a hand up, not a handout to those who have faced the challenges that mother nature can throw at our livelihoods on the hand.”
 
“Our family has always held the mantra that the best outcomes are achieved when we give back to the communities in which we are invested.”
 
“I hope this inspires other beef community to think about how we can all contribute to those facing adversity.”
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Camm Group’s donation would have a lasting impact.
 
“This is support that goes beyond words, it translates into direct help for farming families who are doing it tough,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Initiatives like this show what’s possible when agriculture steps up for its own. We’re incredibly grateful to the Camm team for their leadership and generosity.”
 
Camm Agricultural Group operates eight properties across Queensland, turning off 90,000 cattle annually. Its recently expanded Wonga Plains Feedlot now has a capacity of 25,000 head, reflecting the company’s long-term investment in sustainable beef production.
 
As the initiative concludes, Mr Camm encouraged others across the livestock sector to get involved where they can.
 
“Everyone in agriculture has something to offer,” he said. “Whether it’s livestock, logistics, or support services, it all adds up to a stronger, more connected rural Australia.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

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

Restoring Farms and Spirits: Rural Aid’s Support Hits the Ground in Coraki

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12 Richmond Valley Shire farming families will receive vital support this month as Rural Aid delivers a two-week Farm Recovery Event (FRE) from 20 July to 2 August. The initiative will see 30 volunteers from across the country assist with fencing repairs, property maintenance, vegetation clearing, and small-scale construction projects, tasks that remain out of reach for many farmers still recovering from natural disasters.

Originally scheduled for March but postponed due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Coraki FRE has been extended to ensure maximum impact in a region still feeling the effects of the 2022 floods and other weather events.
 
“The jobs our teams take on, replacing fences, clearing overgrowth, repairing sheds, are critical to keeping farms safe and operational,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “We’re helping farmers get things around the house and farm on the right track and reduce some of the stress that comes with a long recovery.”
 
The volunteer teams will work side by side with landholders, many of whom have faced years of compounding challenges. While the focus is on physical recovery, the visits often provide an emotional lift too.
 
With Rural Aid scheduled to arrive in the Coraki region soon, Woodburn farmer Mr Tony Carusi is grateful to be on the list to receive support.
 
Mr Carusi said the practical help and community backing bring much-needed hope and strength to a region still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods.
 
“The aftermath was overwhelming,” Mr Carusi said. “When the Rural Aid team arrives, things start to happen. Their volunteers help with jobs we’ve had to put off, fencing, clearing debris, cleaning machinery, because we just haven’t had the hands.”
 
He said the support is not only physical but provides a significant mental boost for farmers.
 
“What makes this possible is the generosity of donors and corporate partners behind the scenes. Even if they can’t be here, their financial support makes a real difference. It shows people care, and that means a lot. Thank you.”
 
This event follows Rural Aid’s recent hay deliveries into Northern NSW, supporting farmers affected by this year’s floods. The organisation’s Farm Recovery Events are designed to deliver both immediate results and longer-term benefits, helping rural communities rebuild with strength and dignity.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

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

Under Pressure: How Financial and Environmental Strains Are Impacting Farmers’ Mental Health

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Australia’s farmers are facing more than the challenges of floods, fires and droughts. Quietly and persistently, they are dealing with rising financial pressure, emotional exhaustion and growing uncertainty, which are having a serious impact on wellbeing across rural communities.

Rural Aid, Australia’s leading rural support charity, is seeing a sharp increase in demand for its services, as farming families struggle with rising costs, labour shortages, unpredictable markets and the changing climate.
 
“Farmers are feeling the squeeze from every direction,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “From the diesel in their tractors to the food on their tables, costs are up. Labour is scarce and expensive, interest rates are high, and many are working harder than ever, just to keep up.”
 
The Hidden Toll on Mental Health
 
While natural disasters remain a visible threat, it’s the compounding financial and environmental stressors that are quietly taking a significant toll on farmers’ mental health. Rural Aid says the pressure is building for many, with years of back-to-back challenges leaving little room for rest or recovery.
 
The cost of essentials like fuel, fertiliser and machinery has soared. Labour shortages mean more responsibilities fall to farm owners, often at the expense of their own health and family time. At the same time, climate variability and shifting market conditions make it difficult to plan for the future, while rising interest rates are tightening already stretched budgets.
 
Ongoing biosecurity threats, such as pests and disease outbreaks, demand constant vigilance and bring added mental strain that can be difficult to quantify.
 
“These challenges rarely come one at a time,” Mr Warlters said. “They build up, year after year. What we’re hearing from farmers is a deep sense of fatigue — emotional, physical and financial.”
 
The Mental Health Impact
 
The consequences are clear. Research shows that farmers are 59% more likely to take their own lives than the general population. Nearly half have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and many say they find it difficult to reach out for help.
 
“These aren’t just statistics, they represent real people; our farmers, their families, our neighbours,” Mr Warlters said. “The emotional burden some of them carry is incredibly heavy.”
 
Rural Aid Steps Up, But Needs Support
 
In response, Rural Aid is expanding its support services to meet growing demand. These include:

  • Free, professional counselling through Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team
  • Financial assistance to help cover essential living and business expenses
  • Delivery of hay, drinking water and household goods
  • Community-building programs to reduce isolation and support resilience

“Our counsellors are often the first people a farmer has ever spoken to about how they’re feeling,” Mr Warlters said. “That first conversation can be life-changing. But we rely on the generosity of Australians to make these services possible.”
 
A Call for Community Action
 
Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to get behind their farming communities by donating, raising awareness and advocating for long-term mental health support in the regions.
 
“To every farmer: you are not alone. And to every Australian: your support makes a difference,” said Mr Warlters. “Together, we can help ensure that no farmer is left to face these challenges without support.”
 
To donate or access support, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

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

Historic First Hay Drop for Kangaroo Island as Drought Pressures Mount

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In a major milestone for drought support on Kangaroo Island, Rural Aid will conduct its first-ever hay drop to local farmers facing continued hardship due to the prolonged dry conditions.

While Rural Aid has previously delivered water to the island, this marks the first time hay will be transported to assist livestock producers doing it tough.

Over two days — Wednesday, 18 June and Wednesday, 25 June — 238 bales weighing a combined 154 tonnes of hay will be delivered to 19 farmers across Kangaroo Island. Two B-double trucks will be transported via ferry to the island on each day to complete the delivery.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters will be on the island for the historic first drop.

“This hay drop represents a significant and much-needed show of support for our farmers on Kangaroo Island,” Mr Warlters said. “They’ve battled through some of the toughest seasons on record, and this delivery will help ease the burden during a critical time. It’s a privilege to stand alongside these resilient communities and let them know they’re not forgotten.”

Rural Aid extends its sincere thanks to the State Government through Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) for their vital support in funding the transport of the hay to the island.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the State Government for making this delivery possible,” Mr Warlters said. “Their backing has helped us remove a major logistical hurdle and bring real, tangible help to where it’s needed most.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the State Government is proud to support this important initiative with Rural Aid.

“Kangaroo Island’s farming communities are a vital part of South Australia’s primary industries sector, and we are committed to assisting them through the ongoing drought,” Minister Scriven said.

“We greatly appreciate the work Rural Aid and the other charities with which we have partnered are doing to deliver donated hay. It’s a fantastic display of government and community working together to get fodder where it’s needed.”

Rural Aid’s hay drops are part of a broader effort to support farmers through practical assistance, financial aid and mental wellbeing support.

Help Us Help More Farmers

Rural Aid relies on the generosity of everyday Australians to continue delivering critical support to farming families across the country.

To donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

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

“You’re Not Alone”: Rural Aid Brings Hope to Flood-Hit Western Queensland

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In the wake of devastating floods, Rural Aid is rallying around Western Queensland’s farming communities with a powerful message: you are not alone.

From 10–17 June, Rural Aid will be on the ground in Thargomindah, offering hands-on mental health support, meaningful connection, and a good dose of joy—reminding families that brighter days are ahead.
 
Leading the visit is Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, who will spend the week checking in with local primary producers and their families, offering compassionate counselling and emotional support.
 
“When people are doing it tough, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up and listen,” Ms Pitcher said.
 
“We want every farmer in the region to know—your struggles are seen, your resilience is admired, and Rural Aid is here to walk beside you.”
 
In response to the ongoing need for mental health care in the region, Rural Aid is also actively recruiting a dedicated counsellor to be based in Western Queensland, ensuring flood-affected families have consistent, local access to wellbeing support into the future.
 
Alongside emotional and community support, Rural Aid is delivering essential household water tanks to families whose supplies were impacted by flooding, as well as hay drops to support livestock on struggling properties. This practical assistance provides critical relief to families facing immediate challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.
 
As part of the visit, Rural Aid ambassador Josh Arnold will bring his trademark energy and positivity to Thargomindah on Friday 13 June, performing for students, families and staff at Thargomindah State School, before taking the stage at the Shearers Shindig. The much-loved local event is a highlight on the community calendar, offering a welcome chance for locals to come together, share a laugh, and enjoy some well-earned downtime after a difficult few months.
 
This multi-layered support is made possible thanks to the generous backing of Rural Aid’s corporate partners like leading Australian energy infrastructure business APA Group, whose commitment in this region ensures help reaches families when and where it’s needed most. But to keep delivering this vital aid—whether it’s water tanks, hay, counselling or community connection—Rural Aid also relies on the generosity of everyday Australians.
 
Public donations play a crucial role in helping farmers not just survive the aftermath of disaster, but regain their footing with dignity and hope.
 
“If you’ve ever wondered how you can help a farmer facing hardship, this is how,” said Ms Pitcher.
 
“By donating to Rural Aid, you’re helping us put counsellors in communities, and hope in the hearts of families who need it most.”
 
Together, we can help Western Queensland get back on its feet.
 
How to help

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

About APA Group:
APA Group is a leading Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed energy infrastructure business, committed to securing Australia’s energy future through sustainable practices. APA Group is proud to support flood-impacted farming families in Western Queensland and is a valued partner of Rural Aid, creating positive social impacts in communities where it operates or plans to develop infrastructure.

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