News Archives - Page 3 of 72

Rural Aid Steps Up Mental Health Support for Regional Schools

Posted on 21 July 202521 July 2025

Rural Aid’s Mustering Growth program is continuing to grow, with seven regional schools across New South Wales and Queensland set to benefit from the wellbeing initiative during Term 3.

The program will be delivered to:

Lismore South Public School, NSW – July
Crabbes Creek Public School, NSW – July
Eltham Public School, NSW – August
Bajool State School, QLD – August
Blakebrook Public School, NSW – September
Rollands Plains Upper Public School, NSW – September

Mustering Growth helps rural students better understand and manage their emotional wellbeing, especially in the face of challenges unique to life in the bush. For many children in rural and remote areas, events like floods, bushfires and drought leave lasting mental and emotional impacts, often in communities where access to mental health services is limited.

The program teaches practical strategies to build resilience, improve communication, and support positive mental health in and out of the classroom. Through interactive sessions, students learn to express their emotions, support their peers and seek help when they need it.

“Programs like Mustering Growth are essential in helping kids process the emotional toll of living through repeated natural disasters,” said Myf Pitcher, Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager. “We want young people in rural areas to know they’re not alone, and that there are tools and support available to help them feel strong and connected.”

Principals from participating schools have welcomed the initiative, reporting increased confidence and emotional awareness among students who’ve taken part.

Rural Aid is inviting Australians to consider supporting the continued growth of the program. Donations help make it possible to bring Mustering Growth to more regional schools in need.

To donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.
To register a school’s interest in the program, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RA_MusteringGrowth_intro_2024.pdf

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’s ‘Spirit of the Bush’ Photo Competition Returns to Celebrate Life on the Land

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

Rural Aid is proud to launch the 6th annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Australians to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land.

Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell their stories through the lens, stories of rugged beauty, resilience and community spirit in the face of hardship.

This year’s competition comes after another challenging season of natural disasters, with floods, fires, and droughts once again testing the resolve of the nation’s rural heartland.

“Every year, we are humbled by the entries we receive, each photo is a tribute to the unwavering spirit of our farming families and communities,” said Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters.

“The Spirit of the Bush competition is more than a showcase of talent. It’s a reminder of the grit and determination that keeps rural Australia going, even through the toughest of times.”

Entrants are invited to submit a high-resolution, landscape photograph that represents the true Spirit of the Bush. Photos can be submitted via Instagram or Facebook by tagging @ruralaid in the image and using the hashtag #SOTB2025. Entries can also be submitted, and the competition terms and conditions can be reviewed via our website at https://www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/.

A panel of judges will select ten winning images, each of which will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card. Winners will be announced on 15 September 2025.

“This is a celebration of the people and places that make our regions special,” Mr Warlters said. “Whether it’s a hardworking farmer, a storm rolling across a paddock, or a quiet moment at sunset, every image has the power to connect Australians with the bush.”

Rural Aid encourages everyone with a passion for photography and the country to pick up their camera and show the world what the Spirit of the Bush means to them.

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

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

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

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.”

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

Posted on 14 July 202514 July 2025

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.

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

Posted on 27 June 202527 June 2025

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.

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