Rural Aid thanks incredible volunteers for National Volunteer Week

Posted on 17 May 202131 October 2023

Australia’s leading rural charity couldn’t function without its generous team of volunteers, its CEO has said.  

John Warlters is the CEO of Rural Aid and said the charity wouldn’t be where it is today without the hundreds of volunteers who’ve dedicated their time, energy and money to bettering the lives of others. 

“We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful team of volunteers ready to drop everything and help out Aussie farmers and their communities,” Mr Warlters said.  

“Just last month, we had more than 20 volunteers put their lives on hold, on short notice, to help out flood-ravaged farmers in New South Wales. 

“Our volunteers consistently give their all to Rural Aid. Volunteers are integral to the Our Town makeover events, the Farm Army work program and to the running of the Rural Aid office. 

“They travel hundreds of kilometers, sometimes forgoing their own beds, and spend their days toiling away, for the betterment of our farmers. It’s truly inspirational.” 

Mr Warlters said their work doesn’t go unnoticed. 

“We are so grateful to these everyday Aussies. A huge, heartfelt thanks for all the invaluable work you do.” 

Rural Aid is always welcoming of new volunteers. To find out more, head to the www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.  
 

For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au. 

Rural Aid delivers hay to flood-stricken Mid North Coast

Posted on 7 May 202131 October 2023

Australia’s leading rural charity Rural Aid has delivered multiple trailers of hay to farmers recovering from the recent New South Wales floods.  

Eight trailer loads have been delivered in and around the Taree area in the past week, with 23 farmers receiving almost 350 hay bales in total.  

Today, 13 farmers registered with Rural Aid were today invited to Taree South to collect their bales.  

The fodder drop follows Rural Aid’s week-long volunteer efforts on Oxley Island dairy and beef farms. Last week, 20 volunteers helped five farmers repair fences, clear debris and wash down milk vats.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was important to offer the Mid North Coast farmers as much help as possible. 

“These farmers have just been putting one foot in front of the other, as they try and recover from the recent, devastating floods.” 

“Rural Aid can provide disaster affected farmers with financial, mental wellbeing, and fodder assistance.  

“These resources give our farmers  a bit of breathing room, in the midst of a crisis,” Mr Warlters said.  

Today’s hay drop was made possible by Bushells and generous Rural Aid donors, including a Rural Aid-registered farmer near Scone. The primary producer from Woolooma received hay during the drought, but is now enjoying a better season and decided to generously donate trailers of hay to flood affected farmers.  

“It’s truly humbling to see the lasting impact of Rural Aid’s efforts within the farming community,” Mr Warlters said.  

“We can’t thank Rural Aid’s wonderful supporters and donors enough.” 

Rural Aid’s efforts in and around Taree are part of Rural Aid’s Disaster Assistance program. The program provides practical support and resources to farmers and rural communities before, during and after disasters such as drought, flood and fire.  

To register with Rural Aid for assistance, please go to www.ruralaid.org.au  

For more information, contact Ash Whittaker from Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au 

Rural Aid assists on multiple disaster sites across Australia

Posted on 6 May 202131 October 2023

Australia’s leading rural charity Rural Aid has this week deployed counsellors and volunteers to  communities far and wide recovering from recent natural disasters.  

20 volunteers are currently on Oxley Island, outside of Taree in New South Wales, where farmers’ livelihoods were thrown into disarray following last month’s floods. 

The Rural Aid contingent is supporting dairy farmers who’ve been forced to protect their surviving cattle in small pens, due to hazards washed into paddocks by floodwaters. 

The volunteers are cleaning up pastures, fixing fences, and conducting miscellaneous repairs.  

A Rural Aid Counsellor and Works Coordinators are also helping with the recovery effort on Oxley Island. 

Meanwhile, another Rural Aid Counsellor has returned to the Hawkesbury region, visiting flood affected farmers outside Sydney for the second time this month.  

And a Rural Aid Volunteer is assisting the victims of Cyclone Seroja in West Australia, where primary producers are still facing a daunting clean up, more than two weeks after the cyclone made landfall.  

‘Our hearts go out to all the Aussie farmers who’ve been dealt a tough hand by Mother Nature of late,’ Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.  

‘We hope the kind and caring Rural Aid team will make their recovery a little bit easier.  

‘I commend the Rural Aid volunteers for the tough, physical work they are putting in this week. But one of Rural Aid’s most important roles right now is to be a listening ear for those doing it tough. It can be very powerful for farmers to see complete strangers caring so much for them.’  

‘I thank all the generous volunteers who allow Rural Aid to do its important work,’ Mr Warlters said. 

Rural Aid is encouraging farmers in need of assistance to register for financial aid and free mental well-being counselling.  

Primary producers can register with Rural Aid here: https://faa.ruralaid.org.au/farmer-registration/  

Donations to Rural Aid can be made at: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/donate/  

For more information, give Rural Aid Media a call on 0447 116 757. 

Rural Aid volunteers lend a hand on the NSW flood front

Posted on 6 May 202131 October 2023

20 Rural Aid volunteers are spending the week helping dairy farmers recover from the recent devastating floods on the Mid North Coast.

The volunteers are working across four farms on Oxley Island, outside Taree.  

Oxley Island was ravaged by last month’s floods.  Farms sustained extensive damage to infrastructure including fences, buildings and herd sustaining pastures.  Valuable livestock were swept away by fast moving flood waters- not to mention the human cost, both emotional and financial.  

Dairy farmers have worked tirelessly through the tragedy, milking their cows morning and night. But they’ve been unable to put their cattle out to pasture because of broken fences and debris.  

The Rural Aid volunteers have been put to work in the soggy paddocks, cleaning up the hazardous debris for the affected farmers and their cattle. They’ve also been performing repair works and lending a hand with fencing efforts to help get properties back to full production.   

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said he couldn’t be prouder of the dedicated volunteers.  

“We know Aussies dig deep in times of natural disaster. We’ve seen this spirit in our wonderful volunteers dropping everything to help out, in tough, muddy conditions. And we’ve seen it in the huge volume of donations made to our flood donation drive,” Mr Warlters said.  

Almost $300,000 has been raised for Rural Aid’s flood appeal.  

“This money has already been distributed to hundreds of affected farmers, by way of a $1000 emergency payment,” Mr Warlters said.  

The volunteers will wrap up their week in the region this Saturday.  

Donations can be made by visiting https://www.ruralaid.org.au/floods  

Farmers can register online at https://www.ruralaid.org.au/flood-recovery-financial-assistance  
 

The flood donation appeal is part of Rural Aid’s Disaster Assistance program. The program provides practical support and resources to farmers and rural communities before, during and after disasters such as drought, flood and fire. Rural Aid is working with stakeholders and agencies to provide relief measures to those affected by the ongoing flood event.  

For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media at 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au 

Rural Aid reschedules Our Towns week due to floods

Posted on 8 April 202131 October 2023

Leading rural charity Rural Aid has rescheduled its Our Towns week in Walgett, due to the ongoing flooding event in the New South Wales town.  

Dozens of volunteers were due to arrive in the North West town on the 25^th of April, but recent rain has hampered plans.  

The award-winning Our Towns event will now take place in Walgett between the 23^rd and 29^th of May 2021. 

Made possible by property investment and development company Holdmark, Walgett has been awarded $100,000 to be spent over the next five years, to renew and revitalise the town. 

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the safety of locals, volunteers and staff was the charity’s highest priority at this time. 

“The Rural Aid team is itching to get into Walgett and start community-building works. But we don’t want to be a burden on the region while they manage a rising river,” Mr Warlters said.  

“The weather bureau estimates the Namoi and Barwon Rivers are still at least a week away from peaking, in Walgett. Rural Aid is urging locals to stay safe and prepare their families and property.” 

Rural Aid staff currently in Walgett for the purpose of project planning have also had to put their efforts on hold, as the focus switches to disaster preparation. 

Rural Aid volunteers have been notified of the date change, however some are unable to attend in May; prompting a call for other volunteers to stick their hands up.  

“Volunteering at an Our Towns week is a rewarding and memorable experience,” Mr Warlters said.  

“Helping to transform a town, and make friends along the way, is what keeps our amazing volunteers returning time after time. I’d urge anyone who can lend a hand, to please get in touch with the Rural Aid team.” 

For more information on volunteering with Rural Aid, please contact Julia Hahn at julia.hahn@ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624 during business hours. 
 

The award-winning Our Towns program is part of Rural Aid’s Stonger Futures initiative. Rural Aid is heavily invested in strengthening rural communities through its multi-faceted Stronger Futures program- giving locals the resources and confidence needed to help their region thrive.