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Rural Aid Calls for Volunteers to Roll Up Their Sleeves For 2026 Farm Recovery Events

Posted on 26 February 202626 February 2026

Rural Aid has released its 2026 Farm Recovery Event (FRE) program, delivering practical, hands-on support to farming communities impacted by floods, fires, cyclones and ongoing drought.

These week-long events bring together volunteers from across the country to help restore damaged farm infrastructure, improve productivity and support the wellbeing of farming families doing it tough. From fencing and repairs to property clean-ups and gardening, volunteers play a vital role in helping farmers get back on their feet.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Farm Recovery Events are about more than physical repairs.

“Each Farm Recovery Event provides meaningful, practical support that helps farming families move forward after incredibly challenging seasons,” Mr Warlters said.

“Our volunteers don’t just rebuild fences or clear debris, they help restore hope. When farmers see people turning up to lend a hand, it reinforces that they are not alone. That sense of solidarity is incredibly powerful.”

The 2026 program will deliver six events across disaster-affected regions:

FRE 1: 8–13 March | Natimuk, VIC
Supporting farmers recovering from recent fires, along with repeated floods, storms and prolonged dry conditions.
FRE 2: 26 April – 1 May | Mangrove Mountain, NSW
Assisting a community still rebuilding after the 2022 floods, with on-farm support aligned to long-term recovery efforts.
FRE 3: 31 May – 5 June | Loxton, SA
Providing targeted assistance in the Riverland region as drought continues to impact farm viability and livestock management.
FRE 4: 19–25 July | North QLD (TBC)
Helping remote communities affected by monsoonal flooding and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, where recovery remains slow and access remains challenging.
FRE 5: 23–28 August | TBC
FRE 6: 18–23 October | TBC

Final locations for the August and October events will be confirmed by 30 June.

Farmers consistently express deep gratitude for the support provided through Farm Recovery Events. Beyond the tangible improvements to their properties, many say the greatest impact is knowing that others care enough to show up and help.

Mr Warlters said volunteering at a Farm Recovery Event is a powerful way for Australians to stand alongside farming families.

“Volunteering your time and skills can make an immediate and lasting difference,” he said.

“It’s a chance to give back to the people who put food on our tables and keep regional communities strong. We encourage individuals, community groups and corporate teams to get involved in 2026.”

First-time 2025 Farm Recovery Event volunteer Liz Meloury, who assisted at the Wingham event last year, said the experience was both humbling and rewarding.

Ms Meloury said volunteering helped ease the emotional and physical burden carried by many farmers.

“It’s incredibly important because it takes some of the weight off farmers and helps them feel less overwhelmed,” Ms Meloury said.

“There’s the physical repair work we do, but just as important is giving farmers the opportunity to talk about what they’ve experienced. Having someone to listen really matters.”

“It shows them there are people out there willing to help, that they’re not forgotten and they’re not in this alone.”

Rural Aid is now calling for volunteers to register their interest for the 2026 Farm Recovery Events. No prior farming experience is necessary, just a willingness to lend a hand and be part of a supportive team environment.

To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/volunteers.

As farming communities continue to recover from a relentless season of floods, fires, cyclones and ongoing drought, Rural Aid is also calling on Australians to support its Together with Farmers, Every Step of the Way Appeal.

Programs such as the Farm Recovery Events are only made possible through the generosity of the public, businesses and corporate supporters.

Donations to the appeal will help fund practical recovery assistance, wellbeing support and essential services for farmers in need.

To donate and stand together with our farmers, visit www.everystep.ruralaid.org.au.

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

Together With Farmers, Every Step of the Way

Posted on 19 February 202619 February 2026

This summer has brought severe flooding across north-west Queensland, destructive fires in Victoria and Western Australia, cyclones causing damage across parts of northern Australia, while drought continues to affect much of southern Australia. For many farmers, the impacts of these events will be felt long after the immediate damage is done.

Rural Aid is providing assistance to farmers affected by these disasters, including financial support, mental health counselling, hay, water and hands-on assistance. This support will remain available as farmers work through the long and complex process of recovery, which can take multiple seasons or years.

As a charity, Rural Aid relies on the support from the community to help to provide practical assistance like hay, water, financial relief, and counselling, while also funding volunteer farm recovery events that bring real help and real hope to communities in times of adversity.

By standing with Rural Aid, you help ensure farmers get the support they need, not just in times of disaster, but throughout the long journey of recovery.

“Recovery doesn’t have an end date,” said Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters.

“Farmers and rural communities may still be dealing with damage, debt and emotional strain years after a flood, fire or drought. Donations from the community allow Rural Aid to keep supporting them for as long as it takes.”

Third-generation farmer Heather Green from Peak Hill in central west New South Wales said the hardest part is what comes after the disaster.

“The floods and droughts come and go, but it’s everything that follows,” Ms Green said.
“It’s the clean-up, the rebuilding and finding the strength to keep going year after year.”

Rural Aid is calling on Australians to support farmers through the lasting impacts of disasters and the extended recovery period that follows.

“Your support ensures we can stay beside farming families not just through disasters, but through the long road back to stability,” Mr Warlters said.

To donate today visit www.everystep.ruralaid.org.au.

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

Water in Demand as Drought Tightens Grip Across Southern Australia

Posted on 19 February 202619 February 2026

While floods, bushfires, and cyclones have dominated recent headlines, drought remains a pressing concern for farming families across Australia. Rural Aid has received a surge in requests for assistance, particularly for household drinking water – a daily necessity that has become increasingly scarce on drought-affected properties. In 2026, Rural Aid has seen a significant increase in requests for water and water tanks, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

Farmers across southern and eastern Australia are facing prolonged dry conditions. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), January rainfall was well below average, ranking among the driest 10% of Januarys on record since 1900, across most of Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and large parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.

Victoria and New South Wales saw their lowest January rainfall totals since 2013 and 2014 respectively. Some water storages in the eastern and southern states have also declined by up to 50% compared to this time last year, adding to the daily challenges for farming families.

Looking ahead, rainfall is likely to be below average for much of the countries south, suggesting dry conditions may continue for farming families in these regions.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said, “For people in the city, it’s easy to take clean water from the tap for granted. But for hundreds of farming families in drought-affected regions, this simply isn’t the case. Access to reliable household water has become a daily challenge, and it affects every part of life on the farm.”

Rural Aid has been delivering water as on-farm stocks run low, providing household water to help manage daily routines and care for their families.

“Drought brings multiple pressures at once,” Mr Warlters said. “Even small support, like access to water tanks or wellbeing resources, can make a real difference.”

Rural Aid continues to provide practical assistance and wellbeing support to farmers affected by drought.

“Drought may not always make the headlines, but it hasn’t gone away,” Mr Warlters said. “We want farming families to know help is available and that Rural Aid is here to support them.”

Assistance is available now for farmers. Call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. We’re here to help.

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

Rural Aid Ready to Support WA Farmers Following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell

Posted on 19 February 202619 February 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across Western Australia’s southern regions to register for support following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.

The system brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and widespread power outages across parts of Western Australia, including the Great Southern, Wheatbelt, and Goldfields regions. Many primary producers are now assessing impacts to sheds, fencing, machinery, crops, and livestock, while managing significant clean-up and repair work.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the cyclone had hit farming communities hard.

“As the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell passed through, the heavy rain and damaging winds caused widespread disruption, leaving many southern farmers with major clean-up and repair work,” Mr Warlters said.

“Registering 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 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 across the Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, and Goldfields regions 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.

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

Rural Aid Ready to Help Fleurieu Peninsula Farmers After Bushfires

Posted on 2 February 20262 February 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula to register for support as a bushfire currently burning in the region continues to threaten farms, livestock and rural communities.

As fire conditions remain volatile, many producers are already facing uncertainty and potential losses, with damage expected to crops, fencing, sheds, livestock and other critical farm infrastructure. Early registration will allow assistance to be delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible once it is safe to do so.

Rural Aid is urging all primary producers in the affected area to ensure they are registered, even if damage has not yet occurred, so support can be mobilised without delay if circumstances change.

The charity is also calling on the broader community to support farmers impacted by the bushfire. Donations made through the Rural Aid website help ensure producers can access immediate relief, rebuild their operations, and continue contributing to Australia’s food and fibre supply.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the situation on the Fleurieu Peninsula is extremely concerning.

“This bushfire is fast-moving and unpredictable, and the impact on farming families could be significant,” Mr Warlters said.

“By registering with Rural Aid, farmers ensure we can contact them quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information we need to respond effectively.”

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 assistance through the Farm Army program to help with on-ground recovery tasks

Farmers affected by the ongoing drought in parts of South Australia are also encouraged to register for support. Rural Aid is ready to help with essential services, providing practical assistance when it’s needed most.

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.

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