News Archives - Page 2 of 69

New Voice for the Bush: AFLW Star Alyce Parker Becomes Rural Aid Ambassador

Posted on 12 May 202512 May 2025

Rural Aid is proud to welcome AFLW star Alyce Parker as its newest ambassador, as the charity continues to strengthen its support for farming families and rural communities across the country.

Parker, a key midfielder for the GWS Giants and a proud product of Holbrook, New South Wales, brings a deeply personal connection to regional Australia. Her upbringing on the land has shaped her understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural communities — from natural disasters and economic hardship to access to essential services.

“Growing up in rural Australia, I saw firsthand how tough life on the land can be,” Parker said. “It taught me resilience, but it also opened my eyes to how much rural Australians give — and how often they go without the support they need. I’m honoured to join Rural Aid in standing with those communities and helping ensure they’re heard and supported.”

As ambassador, Parker will advocate across all of Rural Aid’s services — including mental health and wellbeing programs, financial and emergency relief, and community development initiatives. She will help elevate the voices of rural Australians, strengthen community engagement, and highlight the important work Rural Aid is doing to build resilience and connection.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Parker’s appointment reflects the organisation’s deep commitment to holistic support for rural Australia.

“Alyce embodies the values at the heart of Rural Aid — strength, compassion, and community,” Warlters said. “Her authenticity and rural roots make her a powerful voice for our mission, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Rural Aid family.”

With Parker’s support, Rural Aid aims to continue delivering meaningful assistance to rural Australians doing it tough — from counselling and hay deliveries to community projects and drought recovery.

For more information about Rural Aid’s programs or to donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

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

Rural Aid Launches Urgent Appeal to Support Farmer Mental Health Plight

Posted on 8 May 20258 May 2025

This tax time, Rural Aid is calling on every Australian to take action—because no farmer should stand alone.

Right now, in the heart of rural Australia, farmers are silently battling mental health struggles. Behind every fence line and machinery shed are men and women carrying the crushing weight of droughts, floods, skyrocketing costs, and isolation. The reality is stark: Australian farmers are dying by suicide at rates 59% higher than the national average.

These aren’t just statistics—they are lives lost, families shattered, and communities forever changed. Nearly half of all farmers have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Yet many suffer in silence, unable or unwilling to ask for help.

Rural Aid is asking Australians to stand up and take action for our farmers. Your support can help to fund critical ongoing mental health services, offer crisis counselling, and ensure farmers have someone to turn to when it matters most. This isn’t just about farming—it’s about securing a future where farmers and their families feel supported through challenging times.

“Access to mental healthcare in rural areas is often limited or non-existent,” said Rural Aid CEO Mr John Warlters. “Many farmers simply don’t have the support they need to cope with the challenges they face daily. We need to address this critical gap.”

Carol Hill, a farmer from Coraki in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, has experienced firsthand the emotional strain of working the land. After enduring years of drought, bushfires and floods, she says the support from Rural Aid was life-changing.

“You don’t want to admit that you’re struggling. Farmers are strong, but sometimes we need support, too,” said Carol.

“I was really thankful for Rural Aid for reaching out and asking, ‘Hey Carol, do you need help? Let’s talk about it.’ And I think without them, I probably would have gone under.”

While 75% of farmers say they would reach out to a counsellor, 38% report difficulty accessing services. Rural Aid’s mental health team is working to close that gap—but we need the public’s support to help more farmers.

“We’re asking Australians to stand up to help ensure No Farmer Stands Alone. A donation this tax time will help to deliver free, professional mental health support to rural Australians who need it most,” said Warlters. “It’s a chance to show our farmers that they’re not alone.”

Rural Aid’s free mental health programs make a critical difference for farmers and their families. Rural Aid delivers:

One-on-one professional counselling via on-farm visits and regular check-in calls
Community mental health workshops that open up conversations and reduce stigma around talking about personal wellbeing
School programs that build resilience in rural children and teens

To support mental health in rural Australia and make sure No Farmer Stands Alone, please donate today https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au/.

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

NRL fans tap into ‘The Great Shout’ this Magic Round

Posted on 2 May 20252 May 2025

A sellout crowd will descend on Suncorp Stadium this weekend to cheer on their favourite teams and help flood affected western Queensland farmers by buying a ‘beer for the bush’.

Great Northern’s Ian Giles said this weekend’s NRL Magic Round is a magic opportunity and hopes the latest announcement will take the total raised by The Great Shout to more than $300,000 for Queensland farmers battling to rebuild.

“For every schooner of Great Northern Super Crisp sold at Suncorp Stadium for the Women’s State of Origin on Thursday night and the next three days of Magic Round, Great Northern will donate 50 cents to our charity partner Rural Aid,” Mr Giles said.

On the same weekend, across Queensland, The Great Shout will also see Great Northern donate around 500 kegs of Super Crisp to more than 200 Queensland pubs and clubs to sell for the charity.

Rural Aid will use the funds for hay deliveries to starving livestock, direct financial relief for impacted farmers and for ongoing mental health support through its dedicated counselling team.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said record-breaking floods had devastated a vast area the equivalent in size to two Victorias.

“Hundreds of farms have suffered significant losses and the financial and emotional strain on families is enormous,” Mr Warlters said.

“Thankfully, Western Queensland farmers are tough and are getting on with the job of rebuilding no matter how daunting the task.”

If you can’t make it to Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round please donate or find your local participating pub or club via this link: https://the-great-shout.ruralaid.org.au/

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

Rural Aid to Deliver Vital Farm Recovery Event in East Gippsland

Posted on 2 May 20252 May 2025

Rural Aid is set to deliver a much-needed Farm Recovery Event (FRE) from 4 to 10 May 2025 in Bairnsdale, Victoria, supporting local farmers still reeling from years of devastating natural disasters.

The week-long event will bring together skilled volunteers to assist with practical on-farm work and provide critical emotional and community support to farming families. The FRE will see volunteers help with fencing repairs, yard maintenance, vegetation clearing, and small construction tasks – all aimed at helping farmers get back on their feet.

East Gippsland, a region known for its beef and dairy farming, has endured a relentless series of challenges in recent years: the catastrophic 2020–21 Black Summer bushfires, back-to-back floods in 2021 and 2022, destructive storms in 2023, and the ongoing impacts of a “green drought.” Despite the land’s appearance of vitality, moisture deficits have severely hindered pasture and crop growth, compounding the pressure on local producers.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the FRE will provide a critical morale boost for farming families.

“Our Farm Recovery Events do more than fix fences — they help rebuild lives. After years of trauma and relentless setbacks, our farmers need to know they’re not alone. This week is about connection, hope, and putting hands and hearts to work,” Mr Warlters said.

The FRE will also feature mental health support, morning teas, and community connection events. A Rural Aid counsellor will be on-site throughout the week to offer support to farming families doing it tough.

Local East Gippsland beef farmer and FRE host, Peter Treasure, says the help couldn’t come at a better time.

“Since taking over the farm after my father passed, it’s been a constant juggling act—managing everything on my own, dealing with regular flooding, and caring for my mother. There’s always more to do than time allows, and tasks like fence repairs or general upkeep often get put off. These jobs aren’t any less important—they just tend to get pushed aside when more urgent things come up. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming farm recovery event with Rural Aid. The opportunity to have volunteers come out and help will make a huge difference, allowing me to catch up on vital work. It’s a relief to know that there’s support available and that I won’t have to do everything alone,” he said.

In addition to the physical work, the FRE invests back into the East Gippsland economy by sourcing food, accommodation, and materials locally, ensuring the benefits of the event extend well beyond the farm gates.

Rural Aid volunteer Peter Holland, who’s attending his 11^th FRE, says the events are as rewarding for volunteers as they are for farmers.

“It’s a privilege to be part of something so meaningful. You get your hands dirty, share a few laughs, and you leave knowing you’ve made a real difference in someone’s life,” he said.

Rural Aid encourages the public to support its ongoing recovery work through donations and volunteer registrations. More information is available at www.ruralaid.org.au.

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

Flood-Affected Farmers Urged to Register with Rural Aid for Support Services

Posted on 30 April 202530 April 2025

Rural Aid is urging flood-affected farmers in Queensland, North West New South Wales, and Northern South Australia to register now for support, as access improves, and the true extent of losses is revealed.

Rural Aid has been providing assistance since the early days of the disaster, partnering with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to deliver emergency hay drops by helicopter to isolated properties. With floodwaters now receding and roads reopening, hay is being delivered by truck in greater volumes to those still doing it tough.

“We’ve been there from the start” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “That support doesn’t stop just because water has receded.”

While hay remains a key focus, it’s just one part of the broader support package available to registered farmers. Rural Aid provides:

Free mental health counselling, delivered by accredited counsellors who understand rural life and its pressures. This service is confidential, compassionate, and designed to support farmers, their families, and communities through stress, grief, trauma, and uncertainty.
Emergency water deliveries to support livestock and household needs
Financial assistance to help with immediate recovery and longer-term resilience
Community rebuilding programs that restore vital infrastructure and local morale

Rural Aid’s support is designed to meet both urgent and ongoing needs, helping farmers not only manage through disaster but rebuild stronger.

Farmers must be registered to receive support. Registration is free and quick via www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided/ or by calling 1300 327 624.

As conditions change, Rural Aid will continue to adapt its response to ensure every farming family has access to the help they need — when and where it matters most.

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