Rural Aid Expands Mental Health Support in Western Queensland with New Counsellor Appointment

Posted on 12 January 202612 January 2026

Rural Aid is proud to announce the appointment of Mark Noller as its new counsellor based in Dalby, strengthening mental health and wellbeing support across Western Queensland. Mark will provide on-farm counselling, attend community events, and work closely with local towns as part of Rural Aid’s ongoing commitment to the region following the severe floods that occurred during Match and April last year and will assist with the current flood event impacting Northwest Queensland.

With a strong background in agriculture as both an agronomist and a farmer, Mark brings firsthand experience of rural life and the unique challenges farming families face. As a qualified counsellor, he combines practical agricultural knowledge with professional mental health expertise, supporting communities in managing stress, financial pressures, and the lasting impacts of natural disasters.
 
Rural Aid’s Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the appointment highlights the organisation’s dedication to long-term support.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the Rural Aid team. His deep understanding of rural life, combined with his counselling expertise, ensures our farming communities have accessible, trusted support long after the immediate disaster response has ended. This appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to the resilience and wellbeing of rural communities.”
 
The creation of this role was made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors and corporate partners, demonstrating the incredible impact of community and business support. Mr Warlters explained, “this is a perfect example of how public generosity directly strengthens rural communities. It allows us to provide professional, on-the-ground support in areas where it’s needed most.”
 
Mr Noller shared his enthusiasm for joining the team.
 
“I’m excited about this opportunity for us to collaborate and tackle the unique challenges faced in our rural communities. These challenges are real, but so are the strengths and resilience that define life in the bush. With the support of Rural Aid, my goal is to serve as a strong link – someone who keeps communication flowing both ways. By sharing ideas, listening to one another, and working together, we can create solutions that make a difference not just today, but in the short, medium, and long term.”
 
Rural Aid’s focus on long-term support ensures that help is available not just during immediate crises but throughout recovery and rebuilding phases. By providing visible, accessible mental health services, the organisation helps farming families navigate challenges while fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
 
For more information, or to access Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing services, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Rural Aid Urges Victorian Farmers to Register as Bushfires Threaten the State

Posted on 8 January 20268 January 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers in Victoria to register for support as bushfires threaten parts of the state, with some early property losses already reported. Conditions are being closely monitored, and producers are urged to prepare for potential impacts to crops, livestock, fencing, sheds, and other essential infrastructure.

With the situation evolving and conditions potentially changing quickly, Rural Aid is urging all primary producers to ensure they are registered so assistance can be delivered quickly and efficiently if required.
 
The charity is also calling on the broader community to support farmers who may be affected. Donations made through the Rural Aid website help ensure producers can access relief as soon as it is needed, protect their livelihoods, and maintain Australia’s food and fibre supply.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the situation is fast-moving and concerning.
 
“The bushfire risk is severe and is already causing damage in some areas,” Mr Warlters said. “Being registered with Rural Aid ensures we can contact farmers quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information needed to respond promptly if a farmer is affected.”
 
Rural Aid provides a broad range of free services to registered farmers, including:

• Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
• Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
• Hay deliveries for livestock if feed becomes scarce
• Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
• Volunteer support through the Farm Army program to assist with on-ground response and recovery

Farmers are encouraged to register with Rural Aid at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624 to ensure support can be delivered if and when it is needed.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

WFI Insurance forges partnership with Rural Aid

Posted on 8 January 20268 January 2026

WFI Insurance today announced it has forged a partnership with Rural Aid, one of Australia’s leading independent rural charities committed to safeguarding farming and rural communities before, during and after disasters.

The partnership builds on a relationship formed earlier this year when WFI donated $250,000 to Rural Aid to bolster its critical relief efforts for farmers impacted by catastrophic flooding in Western Queensland. The event decimated farms, homes and rural communities, and caused the loss of more than 150,000 livestock.

WFI Insurance Executive General Manager Damien Gallagher said, “Having seen first-hand the meaningful difference Rural Aid made to communities across Western Queensland, we are delighted to now establish a formal partnership to support their ongoing work. Our organisations share the same values and an aligned purpose – to make your world a safer place.”

WFI’s network of more than 100 authorised representatives and sales representatives, live and work within rural and regional Australia, supporting agricultural communities and helping farmers protect the things that matter most.

Through the impacts of a changing climate, Australia continues to see increases in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, with new regions anticipated to be impacted by natural disasters in the future.

“On-ground disaster response partners such as Rural Aid play an increasingly important role in helping rural communities recover. It’s essential they remain well supported, with their network of resources and volunteers fundamental in helping farmers get back on their feet,” Mr Gallagher added.

Over the past year, Rural Aid has provided more than $6m in support to Australian farmers, with services spanning financial assistance, counselling, fodder provision, water supplies, and thousands of volunteer hours to rebuild fencing and complete other repairs.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said, “We are grateful for the support from WFI Insurance, which will help advance our mission to provide economic and empathetic assistance to rural communities impacted by natural disasters.

“We know the terrible hardship that rural communities face in the wake of these disasters, the scale and devastation can be overwhelming. It’s only through the generous support of partners and donors such as WFI, that we can make such a positive impact.”

Rural Aid celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025. and during a decade characterised by disasters, has raised and distributed more than $125 million in support of farmers, their families and communities.

To find out more about Rural Aid or for farmers wanting to access support, please see: Home – Rural Aid – Supporting Rural Communities.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For more information visit www.ruralaid.org.au

About WFI
 
WFI has been insuring Australians since 1919. It is a leading rural and business insurer with more than 150 local area managers situated across Australia. For more than 100 years, WFI has been there for its clients, providing support and assistance when they’ve needed it the most.
 
For more information visit www.wfi.com.au

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

David Park
WFI Insurance
0429 595 788
david.park@iag.com.au

Rural Aid Supports Northwest Queensland Farmers Amid Ongoing Flooding

Posted on 7 January 20267 January 2026

Rural Aid is urging primary producers in Northwest Queensland affected by ongoing flooding to register for assistance, as farms, livestock, and rural communities continue to face significant disruption.

“Flooding in the region is creating serious pressures for farmers, with properties and livestock impacted, roads cut, and daily operations disrupted,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “We were there to support farmers during the severe 2019 floods, and we remain committed to standing by our communities now and into the future. We understand how quickly these events can affect both businesses and families, and we’re here to help every step of the way.”
 
Rural Aid is actively mobilising to support farmers affected by the floods. Hay and other essential supplies are on the way and will be delivered to affected farms as soon as it is safe and roads reopen. These efforts form part of Rural Aid’s broader commitment to stand alongside communities, providing practical assistance and reassurance to farming families navigating these challenging conditions.
 
Rural Aid provides a comprehensive range of free services to support primary producers during flood events, including:

• Hay and water deliveries to support livestock in isolated or flood-affected areas
• Financial assistance for urgent farm operational needs
• Counselling and mental health support for farmers and their families
• Practical farm recovery aid, including fencing, equipment, and infrastructure support
• Community programs to maintain connections, share resources, and provide peer support

“Registering with Rural Aid is simple, confidential, and free,” Mr Warlters added. “It ensures that farmers can access the right support when they need it, helping protect livestock, livelihoods, and wellbeing during this flood event.”
 
Primary producers affected by the floods in Northwest Queensland are encouraged to register at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

Media note:
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters will be visiting flood affected communities and farmers on Thursday, 8 January 2025 and will be available for on-site interviews. Content available to share with media will also be produced on this trip

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

Rural Aid Ready to Help Kimberley Farmers Impacted by Cyclone Hayley

Posted on 7 January 20267 January 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers in the Kimberley region of Western Australia to register for support as Cyclone Hayley approaches the region, with damaging winds and heavy rainfall forecast to impact farms and communities. Many producers are now preparing their properties and livestock while bracing for potential impacts to crops, fencing, sheds, and other essential infrastructure.

With volatile conditions expected and the cyclone forecast to make landfall later today, Rural Aid is urging all primary producers to ensure they are registered so assistance can be delivered quickly and efficiently if required.
 
The charity is also calling on the broader community to support farmers who may be affected. Donations made through the Rural Aid website help ensure producers can access relief quickly, begin recovery efforts, and maintain Australia’s food and fibre supply.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said being prepared ahead of the cyclone is critical.
 
“Cyclone Hayley is expected to be fast-moving and potentially destructive,” Mr Warlters said. “Being registered with Rural Aid ensures we can contact farmers quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information needed to respond promptly should a farmer be impacted.”
 
Rural Aid provides a broad range of free services to registered farmers, including:

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

Farmers are encouraged to register with Rural Aid today at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624 to ensure support can be delivered when it is needed most.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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