IMPORTANT MESSAGE DURING MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Posted on 28 October 202031 October 2023

Meet a Rural Aid counsellor during Mental Health Month

During Mental Health Month (October), Rural Aid asked their rural counsellors to share what they want farmers to know about their mental health. 

Rural Aid counsellor Gary Bentley says the one message he’d like primary producers to know is simple.

“No-one is perfect, no life is perfect…but for every problem there is a solution,” Mr Bentley said. 

“There is no shame in owning up to pain and asking for help. Finding someone to talk to can be an incredibly powerful step.”

“And, above all else, be kind – first to yourself and then to others.”

Mr Bentley’s journey to being a counsellor, after decades in the media, came about due to scarcity.

“I am a Rural Aid counsellor as a personal response to the lack of mental health facilities and assistance in rural communities despite an ever-increasing need,” he explains.

“The service provided by Rural Aid is unique and, since being established a little over two years ago, our counsellors have built a reputation for reliability, empathy and accessibility. What we are doing works…and we see that every day.”

“As a counsellor I am talking every day with farmers either on their property or by phone. And as a representative of Rural Aid I am involved in a wide range of community interaction – speaking at service club meetings, involvement in interagency groups and a lot of diverse media work including radio and television work and production of a counselling column which is published weekly across the country.”

Gary Bentley is based in the Hunter Valley and is primarily responsible for that region. 

“Whilst I’m based in the Hunter Valley, as far as crisis management and disaster response is concerned, I have something of a roaming brief. My work with Rural Aid has taken me into drought, flood and fire areas across a large part of NSW. I have also worked in Victoria and Queensland. Where face-to-face counselling isn’t practical, I am also doing phone counselling across four states.”
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Media enquiries: Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935  | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au
Media spokespersons: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters – 0409 618 641  

About Rural Aid | Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.
Follow Rural Aid for updates on: FB: @ruralaidaustralia | @buyabaleofhay. IN: Rural Aid Ltd. TW: @ruralaidaust | @buyabale

THE POWER OF ONE CONVERSATION

Posted on 19 October 202031 October 2023

Rural Aid sends message to rural communities during NSW Mental Health Month

As October draws to a close, Rural Aid is reminding rural communities during NSW Mental Health Month that one conversation at the right time, with the right person, can change everything.

Whether it’s about relationships, life on the land or just not feeling ‘right’, having a chat can be one of the most powerful tools a farmer can utilise.

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters, says that Rural Aid is committed to supporting farmers and their wellbeing.

“Sometimes restoring balance in our mental wellbeing can be found just in enjoying an activity that is not farm-related for an hour. It could be reading, riding, running or being in the garden, golfing or going fishing.”

“Similarly, having a chat with the right person can change everything yet, traditionally, primary producers tend to keep quiet. We’re seeing a gradual shift in this sentiment, and events such as drought, relationship struggles, fire, financial hurdles, and even covid isolation have been catalysts for that first chat with us.”

Research shows three significant factors that directly influence the delivery of counselling services within rural communities are stigma, social isolation and mental health literacy.

“We’re seeing farmers becoming more and more comfortable with taking up counselling when they need it. We had nearly 1600 primary producers reach out to our counselling services in the last quarter. Some received support via phone, others face to face, and also through our monthly webinars.”

“Our tailored counselling program helps build emotional resilience and aims to reduce stress, depression and suicide in rural areas,” Mr Warlters said.

“We employ qualified, Australian Counselling Association nationally-registered counsellors to provide mental wellbeing support services for farmers and their families”

“Our counsellors live within their communities and foster long-term relationships with farmers, farming families, community groups and other non-government organisations,” Mr Warlters said.

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Media enquiries: Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935  | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Media spokespersons: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters – 0409 618 641 

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

FB: @ruralaidaustralia | @buyabaleofhay

IN: Rural Aid Ltd

TW: @ruralaidaust | @buyabale

COULD COVID BE MAKING RURAL TOWNS BETTER FOR WOMEN

Posted on 14 October 202031 October 2023

Announced on International Rural Women’s Day (15 Oct 2020), two female leaders will be the final guests of the year on Rural Aid’s popular Community Builders webinar series

After 18 episodes Rural Aid’s popular Community Builders free and live webinar series, launched during the early weeks of covid lockdown, the final discussion in 2020 will feature two leading women and their views on the opportunities for rural women in the face of covid. 

The episode will air 4pm-5pm AEDT on Thursday 15 October.

This episode discusses how small towns and rural communities can best support and attract women.

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters, said he was pleased to announce two rural female leaders as the key speakers on this last episode on International Rural Women’s Day. 

“From the tiny town of The Rock, Jo Palmer has reshaped the way businesses think about, access and succeed with remote staff, particularly women on the land with families.  Jo is motivated by the social and economic benefits that remote work provides for rural Australia. She believes that your location, gender, physical ability or ethnicity should not determine the work you do,” Mr Warlters said.

Jo’s recognition includes 2019 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National winner, 2018 Crow Awards Startup Superstar and Young Entrepreneur Awards, 2017 Soar Awards Regional Contribution winner and 2017 Finalist in the Regional Australia Institute’s Lightbulb Moments and Regional Online Heroes. 

“Kendall Galbraith heads up an organisation with 265,000 rural women as members. Living in the Margaret River in Western Australia, her work involves ensuring rural, regional and remote women are in a position to contribute to the economic and social well-being of their communities,” Mr Warlters said.

Kendall has published articles with the Australian Institute for International Affairs but these days her writing and research focuses on gender equality within the Australian context.

“Her own personal journey as a professional based in regional WA is a story of the potential that exists in our communities,” Mr Warlters said.

“We welcome anyone with a passion for small towns and rural communities to attend.”

To register to attend the Community Builders Series, visit: ruralaid.org.au/towns/webinars

The series has been sponsored by Bushells.

Week 4’s episode is held on 22 October at 4pm-5pm AEDT on the topic of attracting and supporting women in small towns.

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About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Media: 0424 203 935 or 07 31534654 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

Rural Aid – FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid |IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW: @ruralaidaust

Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale

HOW COVID MIGHT CATAPULT RURAL TOURISM

Posted on 13 October 202031 October 2023

Webinar to discuss the opportunities for small towns in these strange times

Rural Aid’s popular Community Builders webinar series this week discusses the rural event and tourism opportunities that exist with international and interstate travel limitations, as a result of covid.

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters, said this week’s episode looks at ways rural and regional towns and organisations can benefit from the insatiable desire for travel in Australia, coupled with international flight restrictions.

“Australians love to travel, and for the foreseeable future there’s a great opportunity to experience their own backyard. Road trips and small town sojourns are part of the new normal,” Mr Warlters said.

The free webinars are open to anyone with an interest in the progress of small towns and regional communities.

This week’s guests include a recognised leader in rural and regional tourism Linda Tillma, and Josey Sangster from a town of less than 100 people that has an impressive tourism plan.

“We’re focusing on the opportunities for rural events and tourism during covid by virtually visiting the town of Harrow in western Victoria to see it’s vibrant and unique approach to tourism and speaking to a recognised expert in regional, rural and remote tourism development, Linda Tillman,”Mr Warlters said.

Josey Sangster will tell the story of historic Harrow’s tourism plan including local theatre performances and highlighting the town’s assets related to a famous cricket identity.

Linda Tillman, a former director on the Board of Australian Regional Tourism will provide professional insights on regional tourism.

To register to attend the Community Builders Series, visit: ruralaid.org.au/towns/webinars

• Week 3: 15 October 4pm-5pm AEDT | Opportunities for events and tourism during covid
• Week 4: 22 October 4pm-5pm AEDT | Attracting and supporting women in small towns

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About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Media: 0424 203 935 or 07 31534654 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

Rural Aid – FB: @ruralaidaustralia | IG: @ruralaid |IN: Rural Aid Ltd | TW: @ruralaidaust

Buy A Bale – FB: @buyabaleofhay | IG: @buyabale | TW: @buyabale