News Archives - Page 44 of 63

TEN TOWN WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR $100,000 MAKEOVER

Posted on 22 October 201931 October 2023

Supporting small rural communities impacted by drought

Rural Aid has announced the winners of their inaugural Ten Town Makeover initiative which aims to highlight the impact of one of the worst droughts in history on small country towns.

The winners are:

Queensland

Alpha, Monto, Cunnamulla and Gayndah

Learn more about QLD Winners

New South Wales

Walgett, Coolah, Brewarrina and Barraba

Learn more about NSW Winners

Victoria

Lockington

Learn more about VIC Winner

South Australia

Orroroo

Learn more about SA Winner

Established within Rural Aid’s Sustainable Community program, the 10 country towns will receive a minimum of $100,000 commitment to support the makeover of the towns over a five-year period.

The $100,000 includes:

$10,000 for town leaders to workshop with experts in rural/regional town renewal with the aim of developing a long-term renewal strategy. These facilitated workshops will support the long-term sustainability of the town and local community.
$90,000 will be spent on materials for maintenance projects identified by the town leaders, that fits within our scope of work. If available, materials will be sourced locally to support local businesses.

Rural Aid’s Farm Army of volunteers (usually between 50 – 100) will spend a week in the town in the first year bringing a welcome financial injection to the town’s local businesses. Our support over the remaining years will be determined by the leaders of the town once the future plans for the town have been developed.

CEO of Rural Aid, Charles Alder says, “While the focus is largely on the impact of the drought on farmers and their families, equal attention should be given to the impact on rural communities. Small country towns play a critical role in supporting the social and economic fabric of their local communities. This initiative will lift morale and inject much needed capital into the local community

“Small towns have a unique symbiotic relationship with the farms located around them. Farmers rely on their local town for off farm income through employment, farm employees and services from the local doctor, teachers, dentists, accountants and government support staff. Then there’s the small businesses like the local pharmacy, grocery, butcher, bakery, bank and rural supply company. Take these towns out of the equation and the local ecosystem is impacted forever.

“We received over 60 applications and every one of the unsuccessful towns will be supported by Rural Aid in the future.”

Town contacts:

Alpha – Brian Smith, 0437741940

Cunnamulla – Amy Palmer, 0438730180

Gayndah – John Zahl, 0458625005

Monto – Carly Baker-Burnham, 0427675115

Barraba – Lisa Hannaford, 0409921382

Coolah – Sally Edwards,0458774519

Walgett – Denielle Kilby,0447077344

Orroroo – Jodie Boully,0417787475

Lockington – Wendy Sims, 0427868307

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid supports farmers and rural communities in times of natural disaster such as flood, fire and drought. In addition, Rural Aid focusses on supporting the sustainability of regional and farming communities. Its disaster relief program includes the nationally recognised Buy a Bale campaign. Other programs include providing volunteer support to rural towns, musical instruments to regional schools and mental health counselling. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

TWO ARMIES SET TO INVADE WONDAI

Posted on 16 October 201931 October 2023

RURAL Aid’s Farm Army and the Australian Army Band – Brisbane are set to invade Wondai to bring a lick of paint, repairs and great music, from 20 to 25 October 2019.

Rural Aid Engaging Community Officer and Rural Aid co-founder, Tracy Alder said around 35 volunteers will set up camp in the Wondai Showgrounds to work on six farms and help with repairs at the Wondai Show Grounds.

“Our Rural Aid volunteers come from throughout Australia and are from all walks of life with the common goal to make a difference working to reinvigorate farms and the community, lifting people’s spirits and forming lasting connections with farmers and rural communities,” Tracy Alder said.

The week of activities will kick off with an invitation for the whole community to attend the Welcome to Wondai Party on Sunday, 20 October from 4pm to 6pm in Coronation Park, Wondai featuring the Australian Army Band – Brisbane Rock Band.

This exciting ensemble will perform a mix of pop and rock music from classic Aussie groups right through to top 40 hits.

Formed in 1949, the Army Band has enjoyed a reputation throughout Queensland for its musical excellence and impressive military appearance. Featuring in major concerts around South East Queensland, the Army Band is a mainstay at Military Balls and charity fundraisers.

Gift Of Music – 18 October 2019

Prior to the “Wondai invasion”, Rural Aid will also provide school children with $50,000 worth of musical instruments and Lego through its Gift Of Music program.

Rural Aid General Manager, Wayne Thomson said school children from seven schools, based in Kingaroy, Murgon, Yarraman, Nanango and Coolabunia, will be on hand, in the morning, at Kingaroy State High School to receive their instruments.

“After the students received their instruments, they will then participate with their peers in a school band workshop at Kingaroy State High School, followed by a workshop with the Australian Army Band – Brisbane at 12 noon,” Wayne Thomson said.

“This will culminate in the Australian Army Band – Brisbane concert from 1.15pm entertaining students, school staff and parents with music from the Big Band era through to rock hits and Australian music.”

Australian Army Band – Brisbane Swing Band 19 October 2019

The Kingaroy community won’t miss out as the Kingaroy RSL will come alive on Saturday night, 19 October with music from the toe-tapping big band era performed by the Australian Army Band – Brisbane Swing Band.

The hard-swinging Army Band is an exciting ensemble consisting of the traditional line up from the glorious swing era of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm, complemented with male and female vocals.

Farmers’ Big Day Out – 26 October 2019

Following the Farm Army invasion, Rural Aid will also be on-hand at the Farmers’ Big Day Out being held at the newly repaired Wondai Show Grounds

Rural Aid’s Julia Hahn and Grant Miskimmin will be available to talk to farmers about how to register with Rural Aid, what Rural Aid can offer them in the form of financial assistance – including gift cards, fodder, water, mental health counselling and also register those with Rural Aid who do not have internet.

About Rural Aid

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0477 116 757

FARMERS THE REAL WINNERS AT BUNDABERG’S ULTON RACE DAY

Posted on 4 October 201931 October 2023

Thanks to those who attended the Ulton Race Day last month, Aussie farmers were the real winners with Rural Aid chosen as the 2019 charity of choice.

Ulton Partner, Mark McLean “This year was the fourteenth year we’ve hosted the Ulton Race Day. We use this day to show our appreciation to clients, associates and employees. It’s an opportunity to let our hair down while enjoying good company, fine food and drink, entertainment and the local races. But it is also an opportunity for the Ulton community to give back and help raise money for vital causes, and this year we chose to support and raise funds for Rural Aid.”

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder said he was grateful to Ulton for supporting Rural Aid and that so many people at Bundaberg’s Ulton Race Day supported our farmers who are struggling, on many levels, through this record-breaking drought.

“It’s fantastic that Rural Aid ambassador and performer, Phoebe Jay’s passion to help our Aussie farmers inspired Bundaberg business advisory firm, Ulton to support our mental health counselling service,” Charles Alder said.

“Phoebe Jay’s compassion coupled with her conviction to help others is an inspiration to us all and on the day, she also wowed the Ulton Race Day guests, performing on stage throughout the day.”

Charles Alder explained that many of us living in a thriving city environment can find it difficult to comprehend the extent of the drought.

“The realities of the harsh Australian conditions and natural disasters are devastating for our farmers and rural communities on many levels,” Charles Alder said.

“I know the people of Bundaberg understand how natural disasters can have a major impact on communities, both physically and emotionally, after experiencing a major flood event in 2013, where many lost so much and many came to assist the Bundaberg community during and after the event.

“This year we are delighted to announce that we have raised $26,160 which will be donated to Rural Aid,” Mark McLean said.

“The money raised from Ulton’s Race Day for Rural Aid’s fully-funded mental health counselling service will go a long way to assist our farming families.”

“We have many clients in the agriculture and farming sector, and we understand the hardship and toll drought and natural disasters can have on them, their families and the community as a whole. We believe that we can all do our little bit to help those facing hard times in our community,” Mark McLean said.

Rural Aid’s mental health counselling program provides critical support to farmers and rural communities during times of natural disaster. Rural Aid counsellors meet face-to-face with farmers and their families on-farm or conduct phone counselling sessions.

“Many farmers are up to hundreds of kilometres from the closest doctor or counselling service and find themselves in a place where they feel helpless and alone,” Charles Alder said. “Rural Aid qualified counsellors help reduce some of that isolation by living in the rural communities and visiting the farmers and their families where they live.”

Charles Alder said he was delighted that Ulton also provided one of Rural Aid’s registered Queensland farmers with two nights for two, including breakfast and dinner, at Bargara to enjoy time away from the hardships that this drought is bringing to many.

“We were delighted to hear that Lee-Anne Waters from McIlwraith was the lucky recipient and from her letter of thanks to Ulton, she had a wonderful time,” Charles Alder said.

“Lee-Anne described her first Marquee Race Day event as ‘magical’ and being ‘blown away’ by Rural Aid ambassador, Phoebe Jay’s ‘maturity and amazing attitude to life’. Lee-Anne also enjoyed an activity that many of us would happily run from – being interviewed about her experience on the land, telling her story so many can understand what life is like during drought.”

About Rural Aid

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

NRL lending their support to our drought-stricken farmers

Posted on 1 October 201931 October 2023

The National Rugby League (NRL) is getting behind our Aussie farmers during the Telstra Premiership and finals series and broadcasting to footy enthusiasts to donate to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale initiative.

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder thanked the NRL and their broadcast partners – Channel 9, Fox Sports, Triple M, 2GB (Macquarie), ABC Radio and Crocmedia – for their support of Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale initiative.

“Many of our Aussie farmers are struggling to afford the cost of fodder to feed their stock,” Charles Alder said.

“With 98 per cent of NSW and over 66 per cent of Queensland drought impacted, many of our farmers have had to down size their stock and then hand feed the stock they have left. Nothing can grow to feed stock where there is just dirt and no water.

“It’s fantastic that the NRL and their broadcast partners will get the message out to our rugby league enthusiasts that their generosity in donating to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale initiative will help our farmers feed their stock.”

NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder said there was no hesitation when it came to the NRL and broadcast partners drawing awareness to supporting farmers and communities in need.

“So many of our supporters, players, coaches, referees and volunteers live in regional and rural areas of Australia and now more than ever, they need our help,” Mr Boland-Rudder said.

“We often take for granted the resilience of our farmers and those on the land, but that resilience is being tested beyond belief, at the moment.

“Sadly, drought and fire affected regions, in particular, will continue well past this year’s rugby league season and I encourage all of our fans to give generously where they can.

“I also thank Rural Aid for their ongoing efforts to raise funds and awareness for communities that make up a significant part of our country.”

Charles Alder explained that many of us living in a thriving city environment can find it difficult to comprehend the extent of the drought and its effect on farmers and rural communities.

“The realities of the harsh Australian conditions and natural disasters, such as drought and bush fires, are devastating for our farmers on many levels,” Charles Alder said.

“It’s not only the farmers that are affected, businesses, both large and small in the rural communities that support our farmers also feel the economic effects.”

If you haven’t yet had a chance to donate and wish to play your part, text FOOTY to 0437 371 371 and donate $5 or more to buyabale.com.au – a Rural Aid initiative

About Rural Aid

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0447 116 757

GET ONYA BIKE AUSTRALIA TO SUPPORT FARMERS’

Posted on 11 September 201931 October 2023

Do you love the freedom of being onya bike, being on a journey peddling to wherever you want to go?

Have you thought about combining your love of bike riding with supporting someone in need – but don’t have time to go on one of those long charity rides?

Then Rural Aid has the answer for you.

This September, we want you to get onya bike and spend up to an hour a day riding (or spin biking) and be part of the Australia-wide Beach 2 Bush Ride, to raise funds for qualified counsellors for our farmers and rural communities.

Not a cyclist? Not a problem. If walking or running is your thing, you can still participate.

Rural Aid CEO Charles Alder said many of us living in a thriving city environment can find it difficult to comprehend the extent of the drought.

“However, the realities of the harsh Australian conditions and natural disasters are devastating for our farmers and rural communities on many levels,” Charles Alder said.

“The goal of this September’s Beach 2 Bush Ride is to raise $150,000 to place one new counsellor in rural Australia to offer vital professional support to drought-affected farmers and their families.”

About counselling support for farming families

Rural Aid counsellor, Zoe Cox said there has never been as much demand for counselling support for farmers and rural communities as there is now.

“Many farmers are up to hundreds of kilometres from the closest doctor or counselling service and find themselves in a place where they feel helpless and alone,” Zoe said.

“Throughout Australia, isolation, loneliness, depression and suicide and rates are all climbing. These rates are even higher in regional and rural areas, due to remoteness and the stresses on farmers as a result of devastating experiences.

“Rural Aid qualified counsellors help reduce some of that isolation by visiting the farmers and their families where they live.”

Rural Aid nationally qualified counsellors visit farmers and rural communities and live within their communities for a minimum of three years at a time to help build a holistic approach to community support.

How Beach to Bush Ride works:

Measure out a distance between a major country town and a major beach, then challenge yourself to ride the equivalent distance over the month of September. Log your kilometres on your profile page and raise money for every kilometre you ride. Whether you ride for recreation, or to commute, or prefer to get on an exercise bike at the gym, every kilometre counts.

To register a team, visit: beachtobushride.com.au and register today.

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid supports farmers and rural communities in times of natural disaster such as flood, fire and drought. In addition, Rural Aid focusses on supporting the sustainability of regional and farming communities. Its disaster relief program includes the nationally recognised Buy a Bale campaign. Other programs include providing volunteer support to rural towns, musical instruments to regional schools and counselling. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Did you know?

Around eight million people live in regional Australia.
Our regions’ workforce accounts for one third of employment in Australia.
Regional Australia accounts for one third of national output.
Most remarkably, since 2001, regional Australia has gained ground on metro areas in productivity terms in every industry except mining.
Each Australian farmer produces enough food to feed 600 people, 150 at home and 450 overseas.
Australian farmers produce almost 93 percent of Australia’s daily domestic food supply. When a natural disaster impacts farmers, it affects ALL of us!!
As of 2016-17, there are 304,200 people directly employed in Australian agriculture. The complete agricultural supply chain, including the affiliated food and fibre industries, provides over 1.6 million jobs to the Australian economy.
The gross value of Australian farm production in 2016-17 was $60 billion.

Media enquiries: Raylee Huggett – 0422181796