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

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

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

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

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

NOMINATE YOUR TOWN FOR A MAKEOVER

Posted on 2 September 201931 October 2023

Ten country towns impacted by drought to be selected

As the worst drought in history continues to take its toll, Rural Aid is launching a campaign aimed at providing 10 country towns impacted by drought, with a makeover.

Established within Rural Aid’s ongoing Sustainable Community program, the 10 country towns will receive a minimum of $100,000 each over five years.

Working with town leaders, the money will be spent developing plans, through facilitated workshops, to support the long-term sustainability of the town and local community.  Rural Aid will partner with experts in rural/regional town renewal who will work with town leaders to develop the long-term renewal strategy.

Rural Aid’s Farm Army of volunteers (usually between 50 – 100) will also spend a week in the town undertaking a range of infrastructure projects which town leaders identify as important to the town and community.

Small country towns play a critical role in supporting the social and economic fabric of their local communities.

They have unique symbiotic relationships 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.

“Rural Aid believes in community,” CEO of Rural Aid, Charles Alder said. “Unfortunately, small town decline is real with some suggesting over 70 percent are at risk. Take these towns out of the equation and the local ecosystem is impacted forever. There are enough case studies of rural towns that have reversed the trend and created successful thriving communities to know that anything’s possible!”

“Our community program lifts morale and injects much needed capital into the local community,” Mr Alder said.

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that since 2012, many parts of rural Australia have lost thousands of people due to the decline in the agricultural and mining sectors.

Nominations close on 30 September 2019.

The selection process will include an evaluation and assessment of the towns vision and leadership capability.

For more information go to:https://www.ruralaid.org.au/nominate/

If your town needs a boost then nominate your town 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 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 – 0477 116 757